WCC petitions Kerala HC against AMMA's inaction in sexual harassment case

The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has filed a public interest litigation in the Kerala high court to help institute a redressal mechanism to deal with sexual harassment cases in the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA). The petition also accuses the body of not having instituted an Internal complaints committee as mandated by the Vishakha judgement of the supreme court. 

The Livelaw website quoted Rima Kallingal, president of WCC in the petition saying, "The failure of the 3rd Respondent(AMMA) to implement a grievance redressal mechanism for its members against sexual harassment at the workplace leaves its members helpless and without any adequate remedy against sexual harassment directed against them in the professional context." 

The petititon also states that the association's unwillingness to institute such a committee violates the fundamental rights of its members as well as the articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. 

The petition has been filed through advocate Santhosh Matthew and will be heard by the division bench of chief justice Hrishikesh Roy and justice A Jayasankaran Nambiar tomorrow (18 October). 

WCC was formed in 2017 following the kidnap and assault of an actress in the Malayalam film industry. Producer-actor Dileep was arrested in connection with the case and was in jail for 85 days. He is currently out on bail. 

AMMA clashed with the WCC recently over the former's decision to re-instate Dileep to his membership in the association. The decision led to the resignation of 14 female members of the association. The WCC recently held a press conference accusing the association of disregarding their demand to answer questions regarding the issue.