The Kerala government has constituted a seven-member special police team to investigate the alleged atrocities faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, following numerous accounts of sexual assault and harassment from female actors. The decision was taken after a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, according to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Sunday.
"In light of recent interviews and statements from several women working in the film industry, detailing the hardships they have faced, the Chief Minister convened a meeting of senior police officials today. It was decided to form a special investigation team, led by IGP G Sparjan Kumar, to look into these complaints and revelations," the CMO stated.
The special team, led by Inspector General (IG) Sparjan Kumar, comprises four senior women IPS officers. The team will function under the supervision of Crime Branch Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H Venkatesh. The members include Deputy Inspector General (DIG) S Ajeetha Begum, Crime Branch Headquarters Superintendent of Police (SP) Merin Joseph, Coastal Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Poonkuzhali, Kerala Police Academy Assistant Director Aishwarya Dongre, AIG Ajith V, and Crime Branch SP S Madhusoodhan.
The formation of the special team follows the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which was set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case. The report unveiled severe instances of harassment and exploitation of women within the Malayalam cinema industry, leading to demands for accountability and justice.
The report has sparked significant controversy, leading to the resignation of two prominent figures in the industry. Director Ranjith stepped down as the chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, and actor Siddique resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A.). These resignations came amidst increasing political pressure and demands for accountability within the industry.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, when asked about the row over the Hema Committee report, said, “I think the chief minister is on record. He had said that if they come with specific complaints, the process will be set in motion. He has already said it... I am not saying anything because I do not deal with the subject. But I would like to trust what the chief minister has said, that if the victims come forward and they file a complaint against those perpetrators, then the process of law will be set in motion”, as reported by news agency ANI.
Justice Hema Committee Report: Kerala LoP Demands Resignation Of Culture Minister Saji Cherian
Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, on Saturday called for the resignation of Culture Minister Saji Cherian. Satheesan alleged that the Minister was siding with the perpetrators mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report and accused him of withholding the report for four years. “The Minister refused to stand with the victims and was in fact standing with the perpetrators. It is better that he tender his resignation from the post. He is not fit to remain a minister,” Satheesan said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Earlier, the Opposition demanded that a woman IPS officer lead the investigation into the allegations outlined in the Hema Committee report. Satheesan argued that the government has the necessary statements from victims in the report and could initiate an investigation without disclosing their identities. However, he criticised the government for its reluctance to register a case, accusing it of protecting the perpetrators.