Kozhikode: Court intervened in programmes aired on Netflix and Flowers channel (a private Malayalam TV channel) related to the Koodathayi murder case. The court intervention comes in response to a plea filed by MS Mathew, the second accused in the case, who allegedly provided cyanide to the first accused, Jolly. The Eranjipalam Sessions Court has issued a notice against Netflix and the TV channel. The case is scheduled to be heard again on the 13th of this month. The notice requires the authorities of Netflix and Flowers channel to appear on that day and provide an explanation. Mathew’s lawyer, Adv. Shaheer Singh, appeared in court for the proceedings.
In his plea, MS Mathew sought court intervention to ban the Netflix documentary, citing the circulation of false information even before the verdict is reached. The petition emphasizes that broadcasting such serials and documentaries during the trial could create a false impression in society before the accused is proven guilty. The petition also asserts that such programmes may adversely affect the trial of the case.
The documentary, titled ‘Curry and Cyanide – The Jolly Joseph Case,’ directed by Christo Tomy, was released on Netflix on December 22, 2023. According to police reports, a series of suspected murders occurred in Koodathayi village in Kozhikode between 2002 and 2016. The victims included Jolly’s mother-in-law Annamma Thomas (2002), Jolly’s father-in-law Tom Thomas (2008), Jolly’s husband Roy (2011), Annamma’s brother Mathew Manchadiyil (2014), Sily (Shaju Zachariya’s wife and Roy’s cousin, 2016), and Sily’s one-year-old daughter Alphine (2016). The deaths were investigated following a complaint by Rojo Thomas, the youngest son of Tom Thomas. On October 5, a Special Investigation Team led by then Superintendent of Police (Kozhikode Rural) KG Simon arrested Jolly and two others for allegedly poisoning the victims to gain control over family properties.
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