'Frivolous': Kerala High Court Dismisses Nepotism Allegations Against Grant Of State Awards For Malayalam Films In 2022

The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed the plea by Malayalam Cine Director, Lijeesh M.J., seeking to set aside the declaration of Kerala State Awards For Malayalam Films & Writings On Cinema 2022. 

The Single Judge Bench of Justice P.V. Kunhikrishan termed the petition 'frivolous'. The Court observed that the petitioner lacked evidence to prove their allegations of nepotism and bias, and added that the petition need not be entertained based on the hearsay evidence stated by the petitioner. 

"...the allegation of bias and nepotism attributed against the 3rd respondent who is the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy are too vague and not specific. No supporting evidence is produced by the petitioner. In such circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that this writ petition need not be entertained. This is a writ petition filed based on hearsay evidence without any supporting material," the Court observed, while dismissing the plea. 

The Director of the Malayalam Movie, 'Aakaashathinu Thaazhe', Lijeesh, had filed the plea alleging that the declaration of the Awards was vitiated on account of bias and nepotism exercised by Ranjith, the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.

The petitioner submitted that following the declaration of the Awards on July 21, 2023, the Director of another Malayalam Movie, 'Pathonpatham Nottaandu', namely Vinayan, had raised an allegation that he was in possession of evidence which includes voice recordings of Jury Members of the State Awards indicating that the Chairman had illegally intervened in the decision-making of the Award declaration, thereby causing bias and nepotism.

The Court, while dismissing the plea, orally observed that it could not issue notices and order investigations based on what was seen in the media. Although the petitioner sought time for producing certain YouTube videos as evidence, the Court was of the view that the same ought to have been done at the time of filing the petition. 

It also found merit in the contention advanced by the Special Government Pleader that the grievance, if any regarding the Kerala State Film Awards could only be raised by the Producer of a film, while the petitioner herein was the director. "There is some force in this point also. Since the petitioner is not the Producer of the film and the Producer is not coming before this Court, I think this writ petition need not be entertained on that ground also," the Court noted. 

The Court further added that the present writ petition ought to have been dismissed with costs, but since it had not been admitted in the first place, no costs were being imposed. 

The plea was thus dismissed. 

Advocates Prabhu K.N., Manumon A., Rebin Vincent Gralan, and Dinesh G. Warrier appeared on behalf of the petitioner. The respondents were represented by the Special Government Pleader T.B. Hood, Senior Advocate A. Sudhi Vasudevan, and Advocates Shilpa Sathish and Adith Kiran R.S..

Case Title: Lijeesh M.J. @ Lijeesh Mullezhath v. State of Kerala & Ors.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Ker) 397

Case Number: WP(C) 25915 of 2023

Click Here To Read/Download The Judgment