Hema Report: HC criticises govt for delay in action; wants complete report to be given to SIT

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has sharply criticised the state government over its handling of the Hema Committee report, questioning the delay in taking action. The court expressed surprise at the government's lack of response to the serious issues outlined in the report and wanted the complete report to be handed over to the Special Investigation Team. The court also directed the investigation team to keep the report confidential. The complete, unedited Hema Committee report will be reviewed by the SIT and a decision on whether to file an FIR or not will be arrived at.

The special division bench, comprising Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice C. S. Sudha, is overseeing the cases related to the Hema Committee report.

While the court stated that the media cannot be barred from reporting, it emphasised that the media should not put pressure on the investigation team. The court highlighted that women are not a minority but a majority.

During the hearing on Tuesday morning, the court demanded to know what action the government had taken in response to the report's findings. In reply, the Advocate General (AG) informed the court that a special investigation team had been appointed to investigate the matter. However, the court was concerned about whether any concrete action had been implemented based on the revelations of the Hema Committee report. 

In cases of violence against women, a case can be filed under criminal procedure. However, the investigation team was formed without taking any action on the report. The court’s questioning followed the AG’s statement that action had been taken based on allegations made on public platforms after the Hema Committee report was submitted.

The High Court then asked why there had been a delayed action and questioned the government on its silence despite having received the report much earlier. The court also inquired whether this inaction was justifiable. The AG explained that no action was taken due to an order prohibiting the publication of the complete report. The court found the government's inaction surprising and stated that action should have been initiated when the Director General of Police (DGP) had received a copy of the report in February 2021.

The government had submitted the report, including related documents, to the Special Division Bench of the High Court in a sealed envelope. However, no action was taken on the victims' statements beyond what was included in the report, leading to widespread criticism. Following this, the High Court intervened and directed that the uncensured report be submitted by September 9.

In addition to the full report, the court has ordered the provision of complete information, including transcripts. The court also directed that details about the steps taken by the government following the report, including information about the Special Investigation Team, be provided.