The Kerala High Court is set to hear a petition today challenging the disclosure of the Justice K Hema Committee Report on women’s working conditions in the film industry.
The petition, filed by Malayalam film producer Sajimon Parayil, contests an order from the State Information Commission that mandates the report’s disclosure.
The case will be heard by the bench of Justice PM Manoj.
The plea argues, “If this order is implemented, it would adversely affect the film industry at large, compromise individuals’ privacy, breach confidentiality, and potentially damage the reputations and livelihoods of those within the industry, including those who provided their viewpoints and testimonials.”
In response to a 2017 petition by the ‘Women in Cinema Collective,’ the Kerala government established a committee to investigate issues faced by women in the film industry.
The Committee submitted its report to the government in 2019, but the State has declined to make the report public despite several requests under the Right to Information Act.
On July 5, the State Information Commission directed the disclosure of portions of the Justice K Hema Committee report.
However, the petition before the High Court claims that only limited redactions have been ordered before the report’s disclosure.
It further argues that the order from the Information Commission is against public interest and violates the privacy of various individuals, including the petitioner.
The plea contends, “The disclosure would breach the confidentiality assured to those who provided testimony, potentially exposing them to retaliation and harassment.”
