I would like to rely on what CM Vijayan has said: Kerala Governor Khan

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday said he would trust Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as he said that if victims of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry come forward, legal process will be initiated. The Governor was responding to queries regarding the Hema Commission report that exposed sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry. The Opposition in Kerala has demanded an inquiry into the revelations in the report.

“I think the Prime Minister has said that if they come forward 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 subject,” Khan said. “But I would like to rely on what the Prime 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 release 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. “After the release 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 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 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 Pinarayi 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 senior, everyone will be held accountable before the law,” he said.

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, has revealed details of exploitation of women, including the existence of casting couches and poor working conditions in the Malayalam film industry.

Speaking to ANI, LoP VD Satheesan said, “The government knows that a series of violations have been committed. Despite knowing all this, the government is not taking any action. They are not ready to constitute an investigation team. We demand that the government constitutes an investigation team.”

Last week, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment of women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. The report contains shocking stories of intimidation, exploitation and abuse of women professionals. The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of witnesses and accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is in the grip of around 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who are at the forefront and control the industry.

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