Kerala High Court dismisses petition challenging State Film Award
Kochi (IANS). Five days after a single bench of the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition challenging the Kerala State Film Awards for the year 2022, the division bench also dismissed the petition on Wednesday.
Malayalam film director M.J. The appeal was filed by Lijeesh challenging the Kerala State Film Awards for the year 2022, which were announced by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on 21 July.
The appeal was filed challenging the single-judge verdict, which had recently dismissed the matter noting that there was a lack of evidence to prove the allegations of nepotism and favoritism in the petition.
On Wednesday, the Bench remarked that we are of the view that the Single Judge has not committed any error in taking the decision. It is also pertinent to note that the filmmakers have not come forward with the claim made by the appellant.
It is also noteworthy that two members of the main jury have not filed affidavits. Hence it is rejected.
The bench also noted that the petitioner’s film, ‘Akashathinu Thajhen’, was not even selected by the preliminary jury of the Kerala State Award.
The film director pointed out that similar allegations were made by director Vinayan, who said that he had evidence against the jury members of the state awards which could prove favoritism and nepotism on their part.
He also urged the court to direct the state government and the Kerala state police chief to investigate and take action against film director Ranjith Balakrishnan, who is the current chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, however the court dismissed the petition.
