Ernakulam (Kerala) [India]: Reacting to the Hema Committee Report, Ernakulam SP G Poonguzhali on Wednesday said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has taken the statements of the victims, adding that a detailed statement has been issued to different police stations for taking necessary legal action.
“The SIT has taken the statements of the victims. Different incidents have happened in the jurisdictions of different police stations. A detailed statement has been issued to different police stations for taking necessary legal action. Once the FIRs are filed, the cases will be transferred to the SIT, which will be investigating the rest of the cases,” Ernakulam SP told media.
Some women from the Malayalam film industry came forward with charges of sexual harassment.
Actor Sonia Malhar has addressed the issue and revealed shocking incidents of mistreatment and exploitation during the initial years of her career.
While speaking to media, she said, “I entered the industry in 2013 and after doing one or two films, there was an incident on a film set. The shoot was in Thodupuzha. When I arrived on location, I noticed that, unlike the usual practice where junior artists are not introduced to the lead actors, I received some respect because of my social work background. Even the director came up to me and shook my hand, which is not typical. He then introduced me to the lead actor and actress.”
On August 27, actor Mohanlal resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report and sexual harassment allegations faced by some members of the executive committee.
Mohanlal and all executive members have resigned. Mohanlal wrote to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informing about the decision.
After the release of the Hema Committee report, a section of AMMA members demanded that those facing sexual harassment allegations should resign from key positions. They said that those facing allegations should not delay sending their resignation and that their continued stay was not in the interest of the association.
On August 26, Malayalam film actor Minu Muneer made sexual harassment allegations against some of her co-stars in the Malayalam film industry. Minu accused actors M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of subjecting her to verbal and physical abuse in the process of filming movies.