Hema panel findings: Kerala HC steps in, asks govt for unredacted version of report on film industry

On August 19, a version of the report with several pages redacted was made public. The report detailed findings of the committee regarding rampant sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry, the influence of power groups, the disparity in wages between men and women, and the abysmal working conditions for junior artistes, among other issues.

This has sent shock waves through Kerala’s politics and civil society, with the report saying men in high positions in the industry were implicated in the incidents that women narrated before the committee.

Opposition parties have flayed the government for its alleged reluctance to act upon the report, which was submitted four and a half years ago.

The High Court intervention came at a time when there is a growing demand from various quarters that criminal action should be taken against the perpetrators of the sexual offences detailed in the statements given by women professionals.

Admitting the writ petition moved by Navas Paichira, the court also impleaded the state Women’s Commission in the case, which is posted for September 10.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier said that if any of the witnesses who had deposed before the committee came forward with a complaint, there would be appropriate intervention from the government.

“No matter how high the perpetrator of crime is, he will be brought before the law. No one should have any doubt about this. The government will take stringent action against all types of illegal, anti-women tendencies in the film industry,” he said a day after the report was made public.