PIL In Kerala HC Seeks Criminal Proceedings Against Those Accused Of Sexual Offences Against Actresses Based On Justice Hema Committee Report

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 matter is posted before the Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice A.Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu.

The plea alleged that the Report revealed several cases of sexual molestation, rape and discrimination against women in the film industry. The plea stated that it is shocking to find that sexual atrocities have been committed against women in the film industry.

The plea highlighted that the primary issues affecting women, as outlined in the Report, were sexual harassment and exploitation associated with the casting couch in order to secure roles or jobs in the film industry.

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

The plea alleges that the Report published in the media do not disclose the names and details of victims or offenders due to confidentiality. The plea stated that confidentiality was maintained not to protect the sexual offenders but to safeguard the victims.

The plea thus seeks a direction to the State Government to give the uncensored Justice Hema Committee Report to the Director General of Police to initiate criminal proceedings against sexual offenders.

The plea has been moved by Advocates Sekhar G Thampi, Akhil Sussendran, Abhishek Nair M R

Case Number: WP(C) 29846/ 2024

Case Title: Navas A @ Paichira Navas v State of Kerala