Kerala police file first FIR based on Hema Committee report
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The Kerala police have registered the first case based on the Justice Hema Committee report, which addresses the harassment and challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. This follows a directive from the Kerala High Court, urging the government to thoroughly review the report and take appropriate action where offences have been identified.
The case, filed in Ponkunnam in Kottayam district, involves a noted makeup artist accused of sexual misconduct. The allegations stem from testimonies provided by women in the Malayalam film industry to the Hema Committee, which was established to investigate the issues plaguing the industry.
The complaint, lodged by a woman from Kollam, involves incidents that allegedly occurred during a film shoot in 2014 at a lodge in Ponkunnam. Based on her statement, the police registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to criminal intimidation, unwelcome sexual advances, and stalking.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up in the aftermath of the report's release, has taken over the investigation. While the team had initially focused on complaints received after the report's publication, the High Court’s directive placed the entire report under the SIT’s scrutiny. This has led to the current case, marking the first time allegations directly mentioned in the report have led to legal proceedings.
The Hema Committee report, released last month, highlights a series of challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, particularly in relation to sexual harassment. The High Court criticised the state government’s delayed response, pointing out that the report had been submitted four years ago with little action taken until now. As a result, the court mandated the submission of an unredacted version of the report and associated documents to the SIT for further investigation.
The SIT is expected to examine the contents of the report in detail and pursue any additional cases that may emerge. This first case serves as a significant step in addressing the systemic issues raised by the Hema Committee, with more developments anticipated as the investigation progresses.