Justice Hema Commission Report: Kerala High Court constitutes special bench headed by woman judge to hear cases of exploitation of women in Malayalam film industry

Kochi, September 5: With allegations mounting against Malayalam film stars since the release of the Justice Hema Commission report, which exposed the appalling working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry and their sexual exploitation, the Kerala High Court on Thursday decided to set up a special court to try such cases.

This was announced by Acting Chief Justice A. Muhamad Mustaque while hearing a petition filed by producer Sajimon Parayil, adding that the special court will be headed by a woman judge. The Justice K Hema Committee was set up by the Kerala government in 2017 following a petition by the ‘Women in Cinema Collective’ to study the issues faced by women in the film industry. While the report was submitted to the state government in 2019, it was only earlier this year that the State Information Commission allowed a request by certain parties, mainly journalists, to access the report after redacting personal information to protect the privacy of witnesses.

A division bench, hearing the appeal filed by film producer Parayil against a single-judge order upholding the Information Commission’s decision, orally noted that the case had become fruitless but said it would be placed before the special bench. The special bench, when constituted, can expect a flood of petitions, including a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking criminal action against those accused of sexual offences in the report. ‘At the end of the day, cinema has to survive’: Mammootty speaks out on #MeToo allegations in Mollywood, a day after Mohanlal’s reaction (View post).

The Supreme Court in that case has ordered the state to submit one copy of the entire report, without any redactions, in a sealed cover, as the published report was censored more than what was mandated. Another PIL seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the allegations in the report is likely to be listed before the new court. The anticipatory bail pleas filed by actor Siddique, director VK Prakash and others in the rape or sexual harassment cases filed against them may also be heard by the special court. Radhikaa Sarathkumar recalls the hidden camera incident in the caravan at the filming location; BJP leader calls it a shocking scandal in the Malayalam industry.

There has been unrest in the Malayalam film industry since the release of the long-delayed Hema Committee report last month, which exposed the widespread sexual exploitation of women in the film world. The Kerala police have so far registered FIRs against 11 people, including nine from the film industry, based on complaints filed by actresses. Those in the dock include actor-turned-CPI-M legislator Mukesh Madhavan, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, directors Ranjith and Prakash, and production heads Vichu and Noble. Meanwhile, Mukesh, Renjith and Raju are among those who have been granted bail.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2024 04:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).