Hema Committee Report: Kerala HC appoints amicus curiae for women’s policy drafting

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has appointed advocate Mitha Sudhindran as an amicus curiae to assist the state government in drafting special legislation aimed at addressing issues faced by women, particularly in their workplaces. This appointment follows the revelations of the Justice Hema Committee, which highlighted the challenges women face in various sectors, including the film industry.

A special bench consisting of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and CS Sudha highlighted the importance of collecting diverse perspectives from all relevant stakeholders. The court pointed out the need to incorporate a feminine perspective in the draft law, as it believes current legislation lacks this crucial viewpoint. The court also suggested that the draft legislation may be presented to the judiciary for its approval before proceeding further, ensuring a more cautious and comprehensive approach.

While appointing Sudhindran, the court stressed that it is not directly involved in drafting the legislation. Instead, it is focusing on gathering input from various stakeholders, with particular emphasis on a feminine perspective. The goal is to ensure that women’s issues, especially in the workplace, are adequately addressed in the proposed law.

Progress of investigations and FIRs

The Kerala High Court was updated on the status of investigations related to the Justice Hema Committee’s report, which exposed the troubling conditions of women in the film industry, including allegations of sexual exploitation. Since the report's publication on August 19, there has been significant public outcry due to the lack of a clear employer-employee relationship within the industry.

Delays in statements and adjournments

The court was informed that, following its direction to the Special Investigating Team (SIT), 26 FIRs had been registered. During the hearing, it was reported that in 18 cases, those who had testified requested adjournments. However, in five of these FIRs, the individuals indicated they no longer wished to proceed with the case. In three cases, victims have denied giving statements to the Hema Committee and declined to pursue the case further. The case was adjourned and will be heard again on November 21.

The ongoing legal proceedings are a direct response to the Justice Hema Committee's findings, which have sparked debates about the exploitation of women in the film industry. 

IANS