Kerala High Court: plea Moved Challenging State Awards For Malayalam Films 2022 Alleging Nepotism, Bias

The Kerala High Court in the case Lijeesh M.J. @ Lijeesh Mullezhath v. State of Kerala & Ors observed wherein the plea is moved by the Malayalam Movie Director, Lijeesh M.J., wherein seeking the declaration of Kerala State Awards For Malayalam Films and Writings On Cinema 2022 which in the case needs to be set aside.
It has been alleged by the Director of the Malayalam Movie, ‘Aakaashathinu Thaazhe’ that the declaration of the Awards was being vitiated on account of bias and nepotism which is being exercised by Ranjith, who being the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.
In the present case, the petitioner averred while following the declaration of the Awards on 21.07.2023, the allegations are raised by the Director of another Malayalam Movie, ‘Pathonpatham Nottaandu’, namely Vijayan that he being in the 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 the bias and the nepotism.
The petitioner in the plea also submitted before the court that he was otherwise entitled for the positions of excellence in the State Awards, had it not been for the alleged bias.
Therefore, the petitioner seeks the declaration of the State Awards which needs to be set aside.
the present plea is moved through Advocate Prabhu K.N., Advocate Manumon A., Advocate Rebin Vincent Gralan, and Advocate Dinesh G. Warrier.