Hema Committee Row: SIT Takes Full Charge To Probe Case On Working Conditions Of Women In Malayalam Film Industry
The SIT's immediate task involves reviewing the uncensored version of the Hema Committee report, which was officially released on August 19!
The Kerala High Court has escalated the investigation into the controversial Hema Committee report on the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry, assigning full control of the probe to the Special Investigation Team (SIT). This comes in response to increasing public and legal scrutiny surrounding the industry’s treatment of female actors, as well as mounting pressure on the state government.
What Is SIT’s Task?
The SIT’s immediate task involves reviewing the uncensored version of the Hema Committee report, which was officially released on August 19. This report contains previously censored explosive details concerning the working conditions and harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. After this review, the SIT will gather statements from actresses who had testified before the committee. If the women involved stand by their earlier testimonies, legal cases will be initiated against those accused of misconduct.
As of now, the SIT has registered 11 First Information Reports (FIRs) related to the allegations made in the wake of the Hema Committee report’s release.
These complaints were made by actresses and other women in the industry, who revealed instances of harassment and mistreatment by prominent figures in the Malayalam film fraternity. Those named in the FIRs include well-known actors and industry figures such as Mukesh Madhavan, Nivin Pauly, Siddique, Jayasurya, Idavela Babu, and Maniyanpilla Raju. Directors Ranjith and Prakash, along with production executives Vichu and Noble, have also been implicated. Mukesh, Ranjith, and Raju have already managed to secure interim relief from the court.
The Kerala High Court, in a hearing on September 10, expressed frustration with the state government’s delay in acting on the report, adding further pressure on the Vijayan-led administration. Political parties like the Congress and the BJP have also amplified their criticism of the government’s inaction. In response, the court has directed the SIT to file its first progress report by the end of the month, with the case scheduled for its next hearing in October.
However, the court emphasized that the SIT must carry out its investigation thoroughly and without haste, urging that there should be no undue influence or media trials during the process. Additionally, the SIT has been advised against disclosing sensitive details of the case to the press.
First Published: September 11, 2024 6:57 PM
