Hearing cases linked to the Hema Committee Report, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked to what extent the state can regulate the portrayal of violence in the media and whether such depictions on screen are merely a reflection of the reality in society, Bar and Bench reported.
After the counsel representing the Kerala Women’s Commission raised the issue of violence in cinema, the court reportedly acknowledged that portrayal of violence has an impact on people due to its glorification. But it also asked whether movies are merely portraying what is already a reality.
The bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice CS Sudha said such aspects must be considered when enacting any law to tackle harassment on the sets of movies, according to the report. It also asked the women’s commission to look into the extent of state interference that is permissible.
The court reportedly discussed the implications of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which had refused to interfere with a Kerala High Court order to register FIRs on the basis of statements given by witnesses and victims to the Justice Hema Committee regarding the sexual abuse suffered by women in Malayalam cinema. The court made it clear that anyone feeling harassed or compelled by the SIT can directly approach the high court for relief.
Meanwhile, considering the scope of the draft legislation, the court said the proposed law was expected to extend beyond the entertainment industry. It then instructed the amicus curiae to examine all relevant materials before finalising the draft legislation, Bar and Bench reported.
However, it clarified that the court’s aim is to assist the state in formulating a comprehensive law rather than forcing it on the authorities.
The court will next hear the matter on April 4.
The formation of the Hema Commission was triggered by the shocking abduction and sexual assault of a top female actor in Kerala in February 2017. The crime was executed by a gang of men who were allegedly hired by superstar Dileep. Read this report to understand how a sexual assault case unmasked the Malayalam film industry.
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