NEW DELHI: The stage is set for a high-profile battle inside the Supreme Court. Top-ranked and revered senior lawyers are appearing for Siddique, the complainant and the government in actor Siddique’s plea for anticipatory bail in the molestation case. The lawyers are no random picks but are celebrated ones, who have appeared for cases that have created uproar in the country.

Siddique’s lawyer is senior Supreme Court lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan in the infamous drug case. Rohatgi also appeared in the Supreme Court on behalf of Dileep, the accused in the case of assaulting the actress.

Former Solicitor General Ranjith Kumar is appearing for the state government. When Dileep asked that the witnesses including actress Manju Warrier should not be re-examined in the actress assault case, it was advocate Ranjit Kumar who opposed it on behalf of the government and won a favourable verdict.

Meanwhile, the victim who filed molestation charges against Siddique has employed senior lawyers Indira Jaising and Vrinda Grover, known especially for their involvement in cases related to women’s rights. These women lawyers valiantly fought a legal battle in the Supreme Court to secure justice for Bilkis Banu, who was gang-raped during the Gujarat riots and saw her daughter getting murdered.

The crucial question is whether Siddique’s lawyer will ask for urgent consideration of the anticipatory bail plea. This week, the Supreme Court is sitting only on Friday. If it is to be considered urgently, the case should be brought to the attention of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud by Thursday. The list will be put on Thursday only if the Chief Justice is convinced about the urgency of the case. If not listed on Thursday, the case will be considered only on Monday or the next Friday.