In her petition to the apex court, the actress stated that she had no intention of pursuing the case and had only testified before the Hema panel out of academic interest. She requested an immediate stay on the SIT’s actions, claiming that she had informed the investigators of her disinterest in the case. However, she added that the police were questioning individuals not directly connected to her statement.
Kerala: An actress, who previously opposed the SIT probe after testifying before the Hema Committee, has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Kerala High Court’s order to register a case and initiate an investigation based on her statements to the Committee.
In her petition to the apex court, the actress stated that she had no intention of pursuing the case and had only testified before the Hema panel out of academic interest. She requested an immediate stay on the SIT’s actions, claiming that she had informed the investigators of her disinterest in the case. However, she added that the police were questioning individuals not directly connected to her statement.
The state government had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, asserting that even if the victims do not wish to proceed, the accused cannot go unpunished. The government informed the court that investigations are ongoing in 18 cases based on statements received by the Hema Committee, and the names of the accused in eight additional cases have already been included in the FIR. The SIT has decided to investigate 40 incidents based on the statements submitted to the Committee.
In her petition, the actress emphasized that her statement was made solely to assist the government in preparing a report, not for the purpose of a criminal investigation.
The petition was filed by lawyer Abid Ali Beeran, who also represents a makeup artist involved in a similar case against the High Court’s decision.
In her Special Leave Petition, the actress contends that her statements were provided to the Committee for “academic purposes” and not with the intention of sparking any criminal proceedings.
She emphasizes that the statements were voluntarily given with the understanding that they would be used solely for the Committee’s academic or advisory functions, and not for any legal or criminal action.
Previously, the Supreme Court had issued a notice in response to a petition filed by producer Sajimon Parayil challenging the High Court’s directive. Recently, the Kerala State Women’s Commission intervened in the case, expressing support for the registration of FIRs.
Justice Hema Committee
The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala Government to investigate allegations of exploitation and harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee, headed by retired judge Justice Hema, was tasked with examining the working conditions and safety of women in the industry. It aimed to look into complaints of sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of exploitation faced by women in Malayalam cinema. The committee’s findings were meant to provide recommendations to improve the environment for women in the industry, ensure better protection, and promote accountability.
