Kerala High Court Refuses For Now Stay On Grant Of Malayalam Film Awards 2022, Seeks State's Response On Director's Plea

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought the response of the State government on the plea filed by Malayalam Movie 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 Basant Balaji declined to grant a stay for now on the distribution of the Awards scheduled on August 17, 2023. However, it listed the matter on August 11, i.e. before the Award distribution ceremony seeking State's response.

The Court has further directed the petitioner to array the Secretary, Department of Culture as a respondent in the case.

Director Lijeesh alleges 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 Vijayan, 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 plea has been moved through Advocates Prabhu K.N., Manumon A., Rebin Vincent Gralan, and Dinesh G. Warrier.

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

Case Number: WP(C) 25915 of 2023