Governor Khan expressed that once the individual complaints are received, the due processes will be started. He stated that he will not be involved in this process at the individual level.
Opposition parties in the state of Kerala have demanded a proper probe to take the revelations of the recent report to their logical conclusion. But Governor Khan has said that he is placing his faith in the assurance of the Chief Minister that if the victims of the crimes come forward and lodge formal complaints against the aforesaid offenders, then proper legal action will be pursued against the latter.
Following allegations in the Malayalam film industry toward sexually abusive cases, the Kerala government has decided to constitute a special investigation team. All these cases will be investigated by an SIT headed by a senior police officer.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on the other hand, has said that such concerns have been raised about the department and recently called top police officials to discuss the matter. The Chief Minister's Office also stated that a special investigation team, headed by IGP G Sparjan Kumar, has been formed to look into the allegations raised. Senior female police officers are members of the other team members, and it functions under the supervision of ADGP H Venkatesh of the Crime Branch.
The decision has come after the government last week published a redacted version of the report of the Justice Hema Committee that has found numerous incidents of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. Based on the testimony of 51 professionals in the film industry, the report brought to light issues of casting couches and pathetic working conditions. It lists that an elite group of male producers, directors, and actors control the industry.
Chief Minister Vijayan assured that appropriate action will be taken against those who deposed in the Hema Commission and come with complaints in this regard. He said everybody, irrespective of his position, will be dealt with according to the law.
The disturbing revelations in the report had Satheesan, the leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, demanding an investigation earlier in the week. The 235-page document has anonymous names of witnesses and parties accused of the exploitation of women and dominance of a few influential figures in the Malayalam film industry.
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