Kerala HC upholds single bench ruling, dismisses petition challenging State Film Awards

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeal moved by director Lijeesh Mullezhath challenging the Kerala State Film Awards for the year 2022. The petition was rejected by the division bench of the court which upheld the verdict by the single bench dated August 11. 

The court observed that the pleadings were insufficient and lacked evidence to prove the allegations of nepotism and bias made by the film director. The bench further noted that the film's producer has also not come forth raising similar claims. 

"... No material has been placed before the single Judge and therefore, we are of the opinion that the Single Judge has committed no error in rejecting the petition," the division bench observed. 

According to the petitioner, who is the director of the Malayalam movie 'Aakaashathinu Thazhe’ which also contested for the awards, Kerala Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith illegally intervened in the decision of the film award jury and misused his authority to influence the jury members. He claimed that he did not win any award for the film due to nepotism and bias on the part of the jury. 

Lijeesh had moved the court after allegations began to crop up against Ranjith over pressurising the jury against considering Vinayan’s film ‘Pathonpatham Noottandu’ for the awards.