KOCHI, JUNE 26, 2025 –The Kerala High Court was informed on Wednesday that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to investigate instances of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry based on the Hema Committee Report, has closed all 35 cases it had initiated.
This development was revealed during a hearing of the case Navas A @ Paichira Navas v. State of Kerala and other connected matters before a Special Bench comprising Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and CS Sudha.
VICTIMS DID NOT COME FORWARD: STATE GOVERNMENT
The State Government told the Court that none of the victims came forward to provide statements, despite being extended all necessary support. Consequently, the SIT had no choice but to close all investigations.
The Court responded with understanding, with Justice Nambiar remarking:
“We do not want to compel anyone either.”
BACKGROUND: HEMA COMMITTEE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS
The Justice K. Hema Committee was established by the Kerala Government in 2017 after the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) petitioned for an inquiry into the systemic issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
The Hema Committee Report, made public in August 2024 in a redacted form to preserve the anonymity of witnesses, documented widespread sexual harassment and exploitation within the industry. Following this, an SIT was formed to investigate potential criminal offences, and a Special Bench was designated to handle related legal matters.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION: COURT SEEKS CLARITY
During the hearing, the Bench also questioned the Kerala Advocate General (AG), Gopalakrishna Kurup, regarding the status of new legislation proposed to address the structural issues highlighted in the report.
The Bench emphasized the importance of crafting a law that goes beyond existing frameworks:
“We hope the proposed law will not merely contain provisions lifted from the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).”
DRAFT LAW TO FOLLOW FILM CONCLAVE IN AUGUST 2025
AG Kurup assured the Court that the draft legislation will be finalized only after consultations with stakeholders, which are scheduled to take place during a film conclave in August 2025.The High Court stated that it will take up the matter again after the conclave.
