Hema SIT Committee: What will it actually investigate?

All cases of sexual abuse reported to local police stations relating to the film industry are transferred to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up after the publication of the Hema Commission report.

In a meeting convened by DGP Sheikh Darvesh Sahib on Tuesday, August 27, it was decided that top women officers would handle all important cases and more women officers would be added to the team, a press release from Kerala Police said.

Initially hesitant to pursue these cases, the government was prompted to set up a special team due to public outrage over the numerous allegations against prominent figures in the industry. This special investigation team was formed by the state government in response to allegations of sexual abuse against actors and directors in the Malayalam film industry. The SIT is tasked with investigating these allegations of sexual harassment. It is headed by IG Sparjan Kumar of the Crime Branch and is supervised by Additional DGP H. Venkitesh of the Crime Branch.

The special team also includes IG S. Ajeetha Begum, Crime Branch SP Merin Joseph, Coast Police AIG Poonkuzhali, Assistant Director of Kerala Police Academy Aishwarya Dongre, AIG Ajith V. and Crime Branch SP S. Madhusoodhan.

Besides the SIT members, senior IPS officials also participated in the meeting at the police station.

The female officers have already begun questioning survivors.

Amidst a spate of #MeToo claims, Kerala forms SIT based on Hema Commission report

However, the SIT has not yet decided whether it will investigate the claims described in the recently released report of the Hema Commission. According to Manorama Newsthe team is awaiting further instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office. Sources suggest that the SIT will proceed once the Home Ministry issues an official order.

The Hema Commission report, released by the Kerala government on August 19 after a five-year wait, said sexual exploitation is rampant in the Malayalam film industry and women are asked to make “compromises” in exchange for work.

The Kerala High Court is currently reviewing the report, including the portions that were redacted earlier. The court had sought the entire report to be filed in a sealed envelope as part of the PIL seeking criminal proceedings against those involved in sexual violence against women in the film industry. The court is expected to pronounce its verdict on the matter on September 10.

Hema Commission: Kerala HC asks govt to furnish full report in sealed envelope

The committee, constituted under Justice K. Hema, was supposed to look into the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry following a sexual abuse case in 2017 involving actor Dileep. The case, in which an actress was kidnapped and abused by multiple persons, including Dileep as one of the accused, is still ongoing. The report, submitted in 2019, was not released earlier due to its sensitive content.

According to the report, the Malayalam film industry is denying opportunities to those who are not willing to ‘cooperate’ and provide sexual favours. There is a general perception that actresses are here to make money and will therefore sleep with anyone.

Women are being harassed in Malayalam film industry, Hema committee report reveals