Kerala High Court Constitutes Special Bench To Hear Cases Arising Out Of Justice Hema Committee Report

The Special Bench was constituted following the order of Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque on August 29, 2024. The order constituting the Special Bench was issued today by the Registrar.

The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Government in 2017 and was tasked to study issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The report was published on August 19, 2024. The Committee's study revealed that women in the film industry face numerous issues, including, sexual demands, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, lack of safety in the workplace, insufficient basic facilities, wage disparities etc.

After the publication of the report, a public interest litigation was filed seeking to initiate criminal proceedings against offenders who committed sexual crimes against women in the Malayalam film industry based on the Justice Hema Committee Report.

The plea also asserts that the State has a responsibility to prosecute individuals who commit cognizable offences.

The Court directed the State Government to make available the entire Justice Hema Committee Report, including the redacted portions before the Court in a sealed cover. The Court also suo moto impleaded the Kerala State Women's Commission.

This PIL and other connected matters will now be heard by the newly constituted special bench.