Kerala High Court Proposes To Constitute Special Bench To Hear Cases Arising Out Of 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 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.

The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu mentioned the constitution of the special bench in open court when the writ appeal filed by Producer Sajimon Parayil was taken up before it today.

Initially, a stay was granted by the Kerala High Court against the publication of the report in a writ petition filed by film producer Sajimon Parayil. However, the single bench dismissed the writ petition and ordered that the report could be made public. A writ appeal was also preferred against the order of the single judge by film actress, Renjini, despite not being a party in the writ petition. Her writ appeal was dismissed by the High Court and she was granted liberty to file a fresh writ petition. The writ appeal preferred by actress Renjini was closed as infructuous after the publication of the report.

After the report was made public, 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 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.