In a major development, the Kerala High Court has been recently informed that all 35 sexual harassment cases registered based on the explosive Justice Hema Committee report have been dropped after none of the victims came forward to testify.
The Special Investigation Team told the court it had no option but to close investigations due to lack of witness participation.
Court Accepts SIT Report, Puts Cases To Rest
A division bench of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and C.S. Sudha acknowledged the SIT’s findings, stating no further action was required at this stage.
The cases stemmed from the 2024 revelations of systemic sexism and abuse in Malayalam cinema, which had triggered widespread protests and the dissolution of a powerful actors’ association.
“The SIT report confirms that despite multiple attempts, none of the victims provided statements. In the absence of cooperation, investigations cannot proceed,” the court observed while disposing of petitions demanding action on the Hema Committee’s findings.
Focus Shifts To Film Conclave For Systemic Reforms
With legal avenues exhausted, the court noted the Kerala government’s upcoming Film Conclave in August 2025 as a potential platform for addressing industry malpractices. The bench directed the matter to be listed again on August 13 to review outcomes of the conclave.
Background
The Justice Hema Committee was formed after the 2017 assault of a prominent actress, but its damning report was made public only in 2024. It exposed entrenched harassment culture, leading to:
- Registration of 35 criminal cases
Mass protests by film fraternity
Collapse of the industry’s dominant actors’ body
While the cases stand closed, activists warn the development may deter future victims from speaking up. The August conclave emerges as a critical test for the industry’s willingness to self-clean.
Petitioners retain right to revive pleas if new evidence emerges.
This closure marks a sobering epilogue to Kerala cinema’s #MeToo moment, underscoring the challenges in prosecuting abuse cases without victim testimony.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
