‘The process of law will be initiated…’: Kerala Governor on Hema Commission report

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has said that he wants to have confidence in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He said that if victims of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry come forward, “the legal process will be initiated”.

The governor was responding to questions about the Hema Commission report that exposed sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry.

“I think the Chief Minister has said on record that if they come with specific complaints, the process will be initiated. He has already said it. I am not saying anything because I am not involved in the issue,” Governor Khan said.

Opposition parties in Kerala have demanded an inquiry into the revelations in the report.

“But I trust what the Prime Minister said: if the victims come forward and file a complaint against the perpetrators, the legal process will be initiated,” he added.

The Kerala government has decided to set up a special investigation team, headed by a senior police officer, to probe allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry.

“Following recent interviews and statements by several women in the Malayalam film industry, in which they detailed the difficulties they have faced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday convened a meeting with senior police officials,” an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said.

“It was decided to set up a special investigation team, headed by IGP G. Sparjan Kumar, to probe these complaints and revelations.

“After the release of the Hema Committee Report last week, which exposed numerous cases of sexual abuse in the film industry, many women have come forward and shared their experiences of sexual harassment in the industry. The CMO report had said that the investigation team would comprise high-ranking women police officers and would operate under the supervision of Crime Branch ADGP H Venkatesh.”

Last week, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Commission report was made public, which revealed several cases of sexual harassment of female actors in the Malayalam film industry.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Vijayan said that if any of those who testified before the Hema committee come forward with complaints, appropriate action will be taken.

“No matter how high someone is, everyone will have to answer to the law,” he added.

On Saturday, Kerala Opposition Party leader VD Satheesan demanded an inquiry into the shocking allegations about the Malayalam film industry detailed in the report.

The Justice Hema Commission report, based on testimonies of 51 industry professionals, revealed details of exploitation of women, including the existence of casting couches and poor working conditions in the Malayalam film industry.

The 235-page report, released after redacting the names of witnesses and accused, says the Malayalam film industry is in the grip of about 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who are at the forefront and control the industry.

Source: IANS

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