Will have faith in CM Pinarayi, says Kerala Governor on Hema Commission report – Telangana Today

I believe the Chief Minister has officially said that if they come with specific complaints, the process will be initiated, says Arif Mohammed Khan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said he would like to have confidence in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as 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 believe 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.

The opposition parties in Kerala have demanded an inquiry into the revelations in the report. “But I would like to rely on what the Chief Minister has said, that if the victims come forward and file a complaint against those perpetrators, the legal process will be initiated,” he added.

The Kerala government has decided to form a special investigation team, headed by a senior police officer, to probe allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry. “In light of recent interviews and statements by several women in the Malayalam film industry detailing the hardships they have faced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior police officials here on Sunday,” an official statement from the Chief Minister’s office said.

“It was decided to form a special investigation team, headed by IGP G Sparjan Kumar, to look into these complaints and revelations. Following the publication of the Hema Committee Report last week, which revealed 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 stated that the investigation team would comprise women police officers and would operate under the supervision of Crime Branch ADGP H Venkatesh.”

Last week, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report was made public, which revealed several cases of sexual harassment of female actors in the Malayalam film industry. Earlier this week, Chief Minister Vijayan had said that if any of those who testified before the Hema Commission come forward with complaints, appropriate action will be taken.

“No matter how high up, everyone will be held accountable before 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’s report, based on testimonies of 51 industry professionals, has 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.