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Scroll.in
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
All 35 cases based on Hema committee report closed, state tells Kerala High Court
The Special Investigation Team formed by the Kerala government to investigate allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry has dropped all 35 cases in the matter, the High Court in the state was told on Wednesday, Bar and Bench reported. The cases had to be closed as none of the complainants came forward to give statements, the Kerala government told a special bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and CS Sudha. After the Justice Hema committee report on sexual harassment and gender inequality was released in August, several women in the Malayalam film industry had made allegations of sexual misconduct by their male colleagues over the years. In response, the state government had formed a seven-member panel of high-ranking police officers to investigate the allegations of sexual abuse. A total of 120 first information reports were registered. Of these, 35 cases were registered by the police based on statements given to the Hema committee. The other 85 cases were filed based on allegations made on social media and statements given by the women. Chargesheets were filed in 26 cases. Earlier this month, the Special Investigation Team informed courts that it was unable to proceed with the cases because the women were not giving statements. The investigation will resume if and when they give their statements. During the recent hearing on Wednesday, the Kerala High Court asked Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup about the status of the proposed legislation aimed at addressing sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry. The bench said it hoped that the new law would not replicate provisions from the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013. Kurup told the court that a draft of the legislation will be finalised after consulting all stakeholders during a film conclave scheduled for August 2025. The court will hear the matter again after the conclave.
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Hans India
Investigation Team Abandons Film Industry Harassment Cases Due To Witness Non-Cooperation
Kerala's Special Investigation Team has informed the state High Court that all investigations into sexual harassment allegations within the Malayalam film industry have been terminated due to the absence of victim cooperation, marking the end of proceedings in 35 cases initiated following the Justice Hema Committee's comprehensive report. The investigative unit cited the unwillingness of alleged victims to provide formal statements as the primary reason for discontinuing all cases that emerged from the committee's findings. The Justice Hema Committee had been established by the Kerala government to examine widespread complaints of sexual misconduct affecting women working in the regional cinema sector, following the high-profile 2017 actress assault incident that exposed systemic issues within the industry. During Wednesday's court proceedings, the Special Investigation Team presented its decision to Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and CS Sudha, who acknowledged that no immediate action would be required regarding the registered cases. The judicial bench was addressing multiple petitions that had demanded concrete measures based on the committee's recommendations for industry reform. The court noted that the state government has organized a Film Conclave scheduled for early August 2025 to address ongoing concerns within the cinema industry. The judges have scheduled the next hearing for August 13 to review any developments arising from this industry conference. The Justice Hema Committee had conducted an extensive investigation into harassment complaints from women across various segments of the Malayalam film industry. The panel's comprehensive report was subsequently submitted to the Kerala High Court, which had ordered its transfer to the Special Investigation Team for thorough examination of the sexual abuse allegations detailed within the document. The closure of these cases represents a significant setback for efforts to address workplace harassment in Kerala's film industry, particularly given the committee's mandate to investigate systemic issues that had reportedly affected numerous women professionals. The investigation team's decision highlights the challenges faced in pursuing justice when victims are reluctant to participate in formal legal proceedings, despite the existence of detailed findings from an official inquiry. The development occurs against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about creating safer working environments for women in the entertainment industry, with the planned Film Conclave potentially serving as a platform for addressing these concerns through industry-wide reforms and policy initiatives.
India Today
26-06-2025
- India Today
Hema Committee report cases closed as no victim came forward: SIT to Kerala High Court
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday told the Kerala High Court that it has dropped further action in all 35 cases registered based on the Justice Hema Committee report. The reason cited was that none of the victims came forward to give their Justice Hema Committee, set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, had investigated complaints of sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Based on its findings, multiple cases were registered for further note of the SIT's submission, a bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and CS Sudha said that, for now, no further action was needed in the registered cases. This order was passed while hearing several petitions seeking action based on the committee's recommendations. The court also observed that the state government has scheduled a Film Conclave in the first week of August 2025 to discuss issues concerning the film industry. It posted the matter for further consideration on August Justice Hema Committee's full report was earlier submitted to the Kerala High Court, which had directed that it be handed over to the SIT for investigating sexual abuse complaints in the industry.- EndsTune In IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Set timeline for law on safety of women in film industry: HC
Kochi: Kerala HC has asked the state govt to provide a tentative time schedule within which legislation ensuring the safety of women in the entertainment industry, including cinema, can be enacted. The special bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and C S Sudha further observed that if the govt furnishes the tentative timeline by the next posting date, the court may record the same and refrain from issuing interim guidelines in the matter, which might otherwise delay the legislative process. The court was considering petitions seeking further action on the Justice K Hema Committee Report concerning the working conditions of women in the film industry. On Thursday, advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup informed that the proposed conclave on the draft legislation for the welfare of women in the entertainment industry has been rescheduled to Aug 2 and 3. Additionally, the Kerala Women's Commission filed an additional statement seeking a direction to the Women and Child Development Department, which is the nodal agency for implementing the POSH Act, to frame interim guidelines for the monitoring committee constituted as per the directions in the judgment in the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) case. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด CFDs ด้วยเทคโนโลยีเทรดสุดล้ำ และ รวดเร็วกว่า IC Markets สมัคร Undo The statement noted that a 27-member monitoring committee has been formed, comprising three representatives each from various stakeholder organisations, including AMMA, WCC, and Fefka. Similarly, senior counsel of WCC also urged the court to issue interim guidelines to ensure the safety of women in the cinema industry, citing delays in the legislative process. However, the division bench expressed concern that such interference might further delay the enactment of the proposed law. HC noted that it had taken 16 years to enact the Posh Act, 2013, following the interim guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in the 'Vishaka case', and observed that it did not wish to wait another 16 years for similar legislation. Accordingly, the Court directed the AG to provide a tentative timeline for the legislation and adjourned the petitions to June 9.
