"Raj Bhavan has not received any complaint so far": Kerala Governor Khan on sexual exploitation of actors

Recently, several actors raised sexual exploitation and abuse allegations against co-stars in the industry. This comes days after the state government publicised a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, Governor Khan reiterated his stance on the matter and said that the state government has assured action on the same.

"The CM has already announced that if people come forward with specific complaints then the law will take its course. Raj Bhavan has not received any complaint so far," the governor said.

Opposition has alleged that the state government is attempting to cover-up the matter and demanded probe based on the report.

"The government has been concealing the report for nearly five years. Many actresses working in the Malayalam film industry have lodged complaints with the committee, and their testimonies are documented. The report, along with a pen drive containing the evidence and WhatsApp messages, has been with the government for nearly five years," the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan said.

The Opposition Leader stated that the report clearly shows a series of offences have been committed and criticised the government for delaying action based on the victims' testimonies.

Satheesan further alleged that the government is unwilling to investigate the allegations in the report. "It is evident that the government is trying to protect the culprits. When the report was disclosed, the government tampered with it by omitting nearly 120-117 paragraphs. They are clearly trying to shield the perpetrators in this case," he added.

The Kerala government has constituted a special investigation team, led by senior police officer IGP G Sparjan Kumar, to probe the allegations of sexual exploitation mentioned in the Hema Committee report. The team includes four women IPS officers and two senior police officials and will operate under the supervision of Crime Branch ADGP H Venkatesh.

The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of the witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and influence the industry. (ANI)