The Kerala High Court has temporarily halted the publication of a significant report detailing the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The stay, issued by Justice P.M. Manoj, will last until July 31, following a legal challenge against the State Information Commission’s recent order for the report’s release.
The controversial report, prepared by the Justice K Hema Committee, was initially scheduled for release shortly before the court’s intervention. The State Information Commission had mandated on July 5 that the State Public Information Officer (SPIO) disseminate the report’s findings judiciously, ensuring that the privacy of individuals mentioned was not compromised.
Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor, representing film producer Sajimon Parayil who filed the plea, informed that the court also issued notices to the Kerala government, the State Information Commission, and certain journalists, all of whom are expected to respond to Parayil’s concerns about the implications of the report’s findings.
This report originated from the establishment of the Justice K Hema Committee, formed in response to the 2017 assault case involving actress and the actor Dileep. This high-profile incident, which led to Dileep’s arrest and subsequent bail, brought to light severe issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality within the industry.
The State Information Commission’s directive also included specific instructions to withhold the details in certain paragraphs of the report that contained sensitive information to protect the identities and privacy of the individuals involved.
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Despite being completed in 2019, the government had been hesitant to release the report, fearing it contained sensitive details that could affect the privacy and safety of the individuals referenced.
