Hema Committee: SIT probe loses steam, cases moving towards natural end

KOCHI: The Special Investigation Team's (SIT) probe into complaints received by the Hema Committee has lost steam, with the government indicating in the Supreme Court that cases from uninterested individuals will be dismissed. This development has pushed the ongoing investigation towards a natural end.

Despite registering 32 cases, no arrests have been made in any of them. Four cases were dropped after being found baseless. Eleven complaints were lodged by the same actress. At one point, she had announced that she would withdraw her complaints. The Hema Committee report had uncovered widespread exploitation and sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, prompting several complaints and arrests of prominent actors like Siddique, Mukesh, and Jayasurya. However, the seriousness of the cases has diminished after the accused were granted bail.

A special division bench with a female judge is functioning in the High Court to examine the Hema Committee report and direct appropriate actions. The High Court has clarified that many of the findings in the report are serious, and cases can be registered without specific complaints. Following this, those opposing the investigation approached the Supreme Court. There are also allegations that complainants are being pressurised by co-workers and investigation officials.

A petition filed by three make-up artists regarding the threat from the organisation is under consideration by the High Court. Actress Mala Parvathi and another make-up artist have approached the Supreme Court with a petition stating that the police are forcing them to give testimony. Mala Parvathi argues that her statements before the committee were based on what she had heard. The Supreme Court had previously stated that those not interested should not be compelled to give testimony. Another actress has approached the highest court requesting the protection of the confidentiality of her testimony. The special bench of the High Court has postponed further proceedings to the 19th to hear the Supreme Court's stance on the matter. The Supreme Court will also reconsider the issue on the same day.

The last-minute petition filed with the Information Commission to prevent the release of the undisclosed parts of the Hema report is also being considered as part of the effort to undermine the cases.