Kerala Govt forms SIT to Probe Harassment Faced by Women in Malayalam Film Industry

By: WE Staff | Monday, 26 August 2024

Kerala's government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the safety, working conditions, discrimination, and hardships faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The SIT's mandate is to identify harassment, exploitation, and systemic bias. The move is seen as a response to the #MeToo movement and demands for accountability and reforms in the industry following the statement's release of the Justice Hema Committee report.

Kerala CMO mentioned, "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." He further stated that a special investigation team, led by IGP G Sparjan Kumar, will investigate complaints and revelations, including senior women police officers, under Crime Branch ADGP H Venkatesh's supervision. The team will include DIG S Ajeetha Beegum, SP Crime Branch HQ Merin Joseph, and AIG Coastal Police G Poonkuzhali.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan defended the Chief Minister's statement that if victims file specific complaints against perpetrators, the legal process will be initiated. He acknowledged the issue but declined to comment on the matter as he does not deal with it.

The Justice Hema Committee report, released recently, revealed multiple cases of alleged sexual harassment involving female actors in the Malayalam film industry, sparking political upheaval in the state.