Plea In Kerala High Court Challenges State Awards For Malayalam Films 2022 Alleging Nepotism, Bias

Malayalam Movie Director, Lijeesh M.J., has moved the Kerala High Court seeking the declaration of Kerala State Awards For Malayalam Films & Writings On Cinema 2022 to be set aside. 

The Director of the Malayalam Movie, 'Aakaashathinu Thaazhe' has alleged 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 avers 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 petitioner thus submits that he was otherwise entitled for the positions of excellence in the State Awards, had it not been for the alleged bias. The petitioner thus seeks the declaration of the State Awards to be set aside. 

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