‘You have done nothing in 4 years except…’: HC slams Kerala govt for inaction on Hema committee report

NEW DELHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the state government for its negligence in the area of Hema committee report on allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry.
“You have done nothing in four years except sit on the Hema committee report,” the high court said. It also raised questions on what the Pinarayi Vijayan government has done to “address the problems faced by women in the society and not just in the film industry”.
In an oral submission, the special bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice CS Sudhasaid: “Why is the state government inactive or silent from 31.12.2019 till now… When the state government has received a report on the basis of an inquiry or commission constituted by it to collect information… when the state government is brought to the notice of an ailment in the society and various crimes are being committed, what is the bare minimum that the state government should do?”
“We are curious, but rather surprised or bewildered, by the government’s negligence,” the court said, according to Live Law.
Meanwhile, the court also ordered the state to turn over the sealed report Special investigation team (SIT). It was also said that legislation should be explored to end sexual exploitation in the unorganised sectors, news agency ANI reported.
In addition to the allegations of sexual harassment, the court also asked the SIT to investigate other issues such as wage equality, lack of basic facilities at the workplace etc. that were brought to light in the Hema Commission report.
The court directed the SIT to file a detailed affidavit in a sealed envelope, stressing that the SIT should first study the Hema Commission report.
The SIT has been given the task of determining the correct course of action, with respect for the privacy of all involved. The court has also prohibited the SIT from holding press conferences. If a complainant wishes to withdraw his complaint, the procedure can be terminated.
During the hearing, the government also raised concerns about a possible media trial, but the Supreme Court said the media should not be controlled and that it knows how to regulate itself.
The court stressed that the problem affects a majority of the population in Kerala, where women are in the majority. It stressed that this problem extends beyond the film industry and urged the government to respond promptly. The report outlines serious crimes.
The court noted that the report could potentially lead to registration of rape and POCSO cases. It challenged the government’s argument that there were no grounds to file a case.