[Manjummel Boys] Kerala HC Directs Police Not To Arrest Actor-Producer Soubin Shahir & Producer Shawn Antony In Alleged Cheating Case
The Kerala High Court passed an interim order directing the police not to arrest actor cum producer partner Soubin Shahir and producer Shawn Antony in an allegation of cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust regarding the production of the Malayalam film Manjummel Boys.Manjummel Boys, a 2024 Malayalam survival thriller film garnered high praise for its portrayal of a true event...
The Kerala High Court passed an interim order directing the police not to arrest actor cum producer partner Soubin Shahir and producer Shawn Antony in an allegation of cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust regarding the production of the Malayalam film Manjummel Boys.
Manjummel Boys, a 2024 Malayalam survival thriller film garnered high praise for its portrayal of a true event centred around the Guna Caves in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.
The crime was registered at Maradu Police Station, Ernakulam under Sections 120B (Punishment for criminal conspiracy), 34 (common intention), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.
Justice P G Ajithkumar ordered thus:
“Defacto-complainant entered appearance and seeks time to file objection. The learned Public Prosecutor takes notice for the respondent. Post on 22.05.2024. The petitioners shall not be arrested in connection with the Crime No.449 of 2024 of Maradu Police Station, Ernakulam till then.”
The complaint was filed by a person called Siraj Valiyathara Hameed alleging that the petitioners cum producers made 'Manjummel Boys' under the banner of their production company M/S Parava Films LLP.
It was stated that the petitioners promised that they would give a 40% share of the profits of the movie to the complainant. As per the FIR, the petitioners borrowed around 7 crores of rupees from the complainant.
Therefore, it was stated that the petitioners are liable for the agreed-upon profit share of 40 crore rupees, in addition to the borrowed sum of 7 crore rupees, resulting in a total of 47 crore rupees.
The matter has been posted for May 22, 2024.
The plea has been moved by Advocates Thomas J Anakkallunkal, Vijay V. Paul, Deepa Jose George, Anupa Anna Jose Kandoth, Jayaraman S., Dhanya Sunny, Ann Milka George
Case Title: Shawn Antony v State of Kerala
Case Number: BAIL APPL. NO. 3848 OF 2024