There is ‘heap of evidence’ against Siddique but cops want devices from 2014, details late screenwriter TA Razak

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the rape case against actor Siddique, has postponed direct interrogation, saying effective interrogation is possible only after obtaining material and information from him. On the face of it, some of the materials and details the police were looking for appeared difficult to produce; For example, as part of the investigation, the team also sought the details of screenwriter TA Razak and Siddique said that Razak died in 2016. The team also asked him to produce the devices he used in 2014, which were thrown away by Siddique. All this was revealed in the documents Siddique submitted to the Supreme Court as part of his bail plea.

The police asked Siddique to provide the devices such as SIM cards, mobile phones, laptops etc. that he had between 2014 and 2024, the tabs he used between 2014 and 2024, WhatsApp communications between Siddique and the victim, and details of the social media platforms used during the above-mentioned period. period. Siddique was informed via mail that “effective interrogation on the facts of the case can be done only after receiving material and information from you.” The investigating officer added: “Only after receiving these materials and details will I be able to interrogate you and record your statement.”

In its reply, Siddique said the SIT did not question or record his statement but sought material and details. He also gave his SIM card details and said he did not use a laptop or tablet. “The devices I had previously used were discarded by me when I switched to current devices and I do not have them at hand. There was no communication with the victim through these phones and these devices have nothing to do with your investigation.” he said in reply.

The police then sent another mail asking for additional information in addition to what was asked in the previous mail. These included bank accounts, passport number, mobile numbers of Siddique’s drivers, Aadhaar details, AMMA’s membership details, Facebook page administrator Lukman’s details, vehicles and details of director Reji Prabhakar and screenwriter TA Razak. Responding to questions, Siddique noted that TA Razak died in August 2016. He said he did not understand the purpose for which his personal information was requested and that it had nothing to do with the investigation.

In response to the report submitted by the Investigating officer in the High Court, Siddique’s lawyer said, “It was unheard of for an investigating agency to provide ‘materials and details’ to an accused and inform him that he has informed him. We will interrogate him once the materials and details are obtained.” .The whole purpose of the investigation is to collect these, but the investigation agency demands that the accused first bring the details and materials and then be interrogated.”

The police insisted on obtaining material from Siddique and interrogated him, claiming that there was a pile of evidence against him. The police report submitted to the SC states that although the investigation is in its initial stages, there is a mountain of evidence against Siddique. The report also states that Siddique tried to destroy mobile phones during his escape to prevent police from examining them. “According to the testimony of a witness, petitioner contacted him to ask questions regarding the destruction of his tools to eliminate evidence of his actions,” the police report said. The statement is included.

According to the report prepared by the police, it is inevitable that Siddique will be interrogated in custody in order to recover the tools he allegedly threw. A senior official associated with the investigation said there was nothing wrong in insisting on obtaining Siddique’s materials. “In a rape case, the burden of proof lies on the accused,” the official said. When asked if seeking details of a deceased person in Siddique amounted to lack of duty, the official said, “This is all part of the investigation, some people are relevant to the investigation and it is important to get the details.” he said.