Hema Committee: Supreme Court notice to Kerala on plea against FIRs on statements made to panel

The Supreme Court has asked Kerala to respond to a film producer’s appeal challenging a High Court order to register FIRs for statements made to the K. Hema Committee investigating sexual harassment in the Malayalam cinema industry. The producer’s petition argues that witnesses/victims are not willing to cooperate with the Special Investigation Team and that the High Court’s order interferes with police discretion in investigations. The court has scheduled further hearings for November 14.