Hema Committee report: Kerala High Court forms Special Bench with woman judge to hear petitions

The formation of a special bench by the Kerala High Court to address the issues arising from the Hema Committee report marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address sexual harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam cinema industry. This special bench, which includes a woman judge, has been constituted to hear various petitions related to the report, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the judicial response. The Hema Committee was established in 2017 by the Kerala government in response to the high-profile case of a Malayalam actress who was assaulted in a moving car. The committee, led by retired Justice Hema, was tasked with investigating the prevalence of sexual harassment and exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. After several years of investigations and numerous interviews with industry professionals, the committee’s report was submitted to the government in 2019, but its findings were not made public for a long time. The delay in releasing the report created considerable controversy, with demands from various stakeholders, including women’s rights groups and actors, for transparency and accountability. The Hema Committee report revealed alarming instances of sexual exploitation and harassment faced by women in the film industry, ranging from aspiring actresses to established professionals. The report highlighted a deeply entrenched culture of exploitation, lack of support systems, and the failure of industry bodies to safeguard the rights and dignity of women. The findings called for immediate reforms, stricter enforcement of laws, and the establishment of a safer working environment for women in the industry. In light of the report’s revelations, the Kerala High Court has formed a special division bench to address the public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the Hema Committee report and related matters. The bench, comprising Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and C.S. Sudha, was constituted by Acting Chief Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque. This move reflects the court’s recognition of the need for a dedicated judicial approach to handle the complex issues raised by the report, including allegations of harassment, pending cases, and the implementation of reforms within the industry​(Devdiscourse). The special bench will also hear anticipatory bail applications filed by several accused individuals, including well-known industry figures like actor Siddique and director V.K. Prakash. These cases are crucial as they involve allegations of rape and sexual harassment linked to the broader issues identified in the Hema Committee report​. The Malayalam film industry has been rocked by multiple FIRs against prominent personalities following the release of the Hema Committee report. The Kerala Police have registered cases against 11 people, including actors, directors, and production executives, based on complaints filed by women who have endured exploitation and harassment. Notable figures in the dock include actor-turned-politician Mukesh Madhavan, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, and directors Ranjith and V.K. Prakash.