The Kerala government has appointed IPS G Poonguzhali (2014 batch) as the nodal officer to oversee cases stemming from the Justice Hema Committee report, which highlighted widespread sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. Currently serving as the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Coastal Security, Ms. Poonguzhali will act as the victims’ primary contact point in these cases.
The nodal officer’s responsibilities include addressing requests from victims seeking protection against threats or intimidation. She is tasked with taking prompt action on such requests and reporting the outcomes to the City Police Commissioner, Thiruvananthapuram, according to an official police statement.
The appointment follows the public disclosure of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed systemic harassment of women in Malayalam cinema, sparking widespread calls for justice. The report was originally commissioned by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, aiming to examine issues of abuse and exploitation in the film industry.
The Kerala High Court recently directed that the full report be handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for further action. The government’s move to appoint a dedicated officer underscores its intent to provide a safer environment for victims to come forward while ensuring accountability in the Malayalam film industry.
