SIT to prepare framework for investigation into allegations

KOCHI: Following the Kerala High Court’s directive to look into the findings of the Justice Hema Committee report, the police have decided to expand their probe into sexual offences alleged against actors and other film workers in the Malayalam industry. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sexual offences will soon hold a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi to prepare a framework for probing the allegations by recording statements of witnesses.

Of the 52 persons who gave evidence before the commission about the sexual exploitation they faced in Mollywood, only two have filed their complaints with the SIT.

Police sources said the special team will chair a meeting after receiving the full version of the report, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

On the instructions of the state government, sensitive parts of the report were kept secret from the SIT, in view of the privacy of the victims.

“As per the Supreme Court directive, we have to prepare a framework for the investigation. The plan will be prepared after a meeting with the team members. If required, more police officers will be added to the special team as the investigation has to be expanded to examine all the statements given to the commission,” sources said.

As a preliminary step, the police will, after analysing the statements, identify the allegations that relate to crimes. If the witnesses have given statements about sexual offences and criminal conspiracy before the commission, those allegations will be investigated by the SIT.

“After analysing the statements, we will record the statements of the victims. Also, the witnesses should be taken into confidence to file a complaint so that cases can be registered against the perpetrators,” sources said.

Currently, the SIT is investigating 23 cases registered in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts. Some of the prominent film personalities who are under investigation are MLA and actor M Mukesh, director Ranjith, actors Siddique, Babu Raj, Jayasurya, Nivin Pauly, Edavela Babu and Maniyanpilla Raju.