Ernakulam: Today, the High Court is set to revisit a plea that seeks to invalidate the declaration of the 2022 State Film Awards, alleging the presence of nepotism in the selection process. The petitioner, director Lijeesh Mullerzhath, lodged the appeal in the High Court, asserting that there exists evidence indicating unauthorised intervention by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith in award decisions. The petitioner contends that this alleged interference warrants the removal of Ranjith from his position as Academy Chairman.
However, prior to the hearing scheduled for today, Justice Basant Balaji instructed the government to furnish an explanation on the matter. In accordance with the court’s previous directive, the petitioner submitted a request to include the Secretary of the Department of Culture as a party in the proceedings.
Additionally, the petitioner has sought to involve director Vinayan, jury member Jency Gregory, and the chief secretary in the case, all of whom have responded and presented evidence related to the controversy. Previously, a voice message had been disclosed, revealing purported interference by Ranjith in the award decision. Director Vinayan released a call record, making public a conversation between him and the jury members Nemam Pushparaj and Jency Gregory. This evidence was unveiled by Vinayan to support his claim that Ranjith had intervened to prevent his film “Pathonpatham Noottandu” from receiving any awards.
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