Supreme Court Declines to Intervene in FIRs Following Justice Hema Committee Findings
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court has declined to interfere with criminal proceedings stemming from the Justice Hema Committee's report on women's conditions in the Malayalam film industry. The court emphasized the necessity of action when cognizable offences are reported.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court will not interfere with FIRs related to the Justice Hema Committee report.
- The Kerala High Court can review grievances from witnesses who testified.
- A nodal officer has been appointed to assist victims in the Malayalam film industry.
- 11 FIRs have been filed against various film personalities.
- The report revealed severe exploitation and poor working conditions for women.
New Delhi, Feb 7 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has decided not to intervene in the criminal proceedings that have been initiated following the findings of the Justice Hema Committee regarding the alarming conditions faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
The Apex Court stated that once information about a cognizable offence is disclosed, the criminal justice system must be activated.
A panel led by Justice Vikram Nath asserted that it cannot obstruct the Kerala Police from acting in accordance with the law.
In its directive, the bench, which also includes Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, made it clear that the Kerala High Court is entitled to review the complaints from individuals who testified before the Hema Committee.
Additionally, the Kerala High Court will investigate whether the FIRs were filed based on the evidence compiled by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), as noted by the Justice Nath-led panel.
The report from the Hema Committee, which was based on accounts from 51 professionals in the industry, uncovered disturbing information regarding the exploitation of women, including the prevalence of casting couches and inadequate working conditions.
Following the report's publication in August of the previous year, several former actresses shared their negative experiences, prompting the police to register 11 FIRs against multiple film personalities.
Currently, individuals facing scrutiny include actor-turned-CPI-M legislator Mukesh Madhavan, Nivin Pauly, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, directors Ranjith and Prakash, and production executives Vichu and Noble, along with Siddique.
The Kerala High Court had mandated the appointment of a nodal officer to whom victims, complainants, or witnesses could easily reach out for any issues concerning sexual harassment within the Malayalam film industry.
Recently, the Kerala High Court opted to broaden the powers of the nodal officer to accept complaints from those not included in the Justice Hema Committee's findings. It emphasized that all complainants must submit their cases to the nodal officer before January 31.
