Kerala High Court on Tuesday, September 10, strongly criticised the state government over its inaction regarding the Hema Committee report on the problems faced by Malayalam film actress. The Division Bench of the Court asked why the state government didn't take any action after the disclosures made in the report. The Court has directed the state to hand over the sealed report to the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
A Special Bench comprising Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice C.S. Sudha slammed the state government, saying it has done nothing in four years. “You have done nothing in four years except sit on the Hema Committee report,” the court stated.
The High Court also asked the government what is being done to address the problems faced by women in society and not just the film industry. The court said that legislation should be explored to end sexual exploitation in the unorganised sector. The Court directed SIT to not hold any press conference.
Hema Committee repercussions : Kerala HC's Special Bench to have its first sitting on Tuesday.
“When the report revealed such a malady in the system, what is the bare minimum that the State government should have done? What are you doing to address the problems faced by women in society, not just in the film industry? The situation is bad, especially in a State like ours, which has a higher population of women. When the majority in the population was facing problems, why are you keeping mum?” the court asked.
The Government said that there should be no media trial. High Court said that the media should not be controlled. The High Court said that the media knows how to control itself.
BJP leader V Muraleedharan attacked Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Kerala High Court has made a very severe critical reference about the Kerala government's stand of keeping the Hema Committee reports under raps. The Hema committee report was submitted almost 4.5 years ago but the Kerala government chose not to act upon it...The High Court's reference amounts to an indictment of the failure of the Kerala home ministry which is handled by the Chief Minister."