Kochi: The High Court criticized the government for not taking action on the Hema Committee report. “Have you even lifted a finger despite receiving the report years ago? Isn’t the government obligated to intervene on such important issues?” the court questioned. The court asked why the government had not taken urgent steps even though the report was submitted in 2021. “The government has done nothing for three years. This inaction is surprising,” the court remarked.
The court ordered the SIT (Special Investigation Team) and the government to report the actions they have taken and instructed the government to submit an affidavit the next time the case is heard. The court emphasized that the government must act according to the law and that investigators should refrain from speaking to the media. It also stressed the need to maintain the confidentiality of the report and cautioned against a trial by the media.
The court ordered the full report to be handed over to the investigation team so that they could take action. The court added that only after the audio clips and other evidence are presented will the sealed cover be opened. The government explained that the committee was appointed to resolve issues in the film industry and informed the court that the report did not contain the names of either the complainants or the accused.
The two-member division bench, comprising Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and C.S. Sudha, is handling all cases related to the Hema Committee report. The division bench was formed after a public interest litigation filed by social activist Payichira Navas.
After the report was published, several people came forward with complaints of sexual harassment. Actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Idavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, director Ranjith, and V.K. Prakash are among those accused. The government had appointed a special investigation team to look into these complaints.
The Hema Committee, which was appointed to study issues faced by women in the film industry, submitted its report on December 31, 2019. The government formed the committee under the leadership of Justice K. Hema in the aftermath of the assault on an actress in Kochi. The three-member committee consisted of former High Court judge K. Hema, actress Sharada, and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsalakumari.
The government released the report after four and a half years, with sections affecting privacy omitted
