'Manjummel Boys' fraud case: HC junks producers’ plea seeking permission to attend award ceremony abroad

Kochi: The Kerala High Court here on Thursday denied permission to ‘Manjummel Boys’ producers Soubin Shahir and Shawn Antony to fly to Dubai to attend an award ceremony. The duo moved a petition in the High Court seeking relaxation in their anticipatory bail conditions, which prevent them from leaving India without permission of the court. The producers are booked in a fraud case related to ‘Manjummel Boys’. 

On September 1, the Ernakulam Magistrate Court rejected the producers’ plea seeking permission to travel abroad. Following this, they approached the Kerala High Court, challenging the lower court's order.

In the plea moved in the HC, the petitioners said they seek modification of condition 'f' in the bail order, which prevents them from leaving India. As per the plea, they have been invited to attend the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2025 in Dubai, where the movie 'Manjummel Boys' has been nominated for the “Best Movie Award”.

While considering the plea last week, the vacation bench questioned the producers for booking flight tickets before getting permission from the court. 

Maradu police booked Soubin and the co-producers of ‘Manjummel Boys’ – Babu Shahir and Shawn Antony over a complaint filed by Siraj Valiyathura. Siraj accused the trio of cheating and alleged he was not given his share of the movie's profits as agreed. Siraj allegedly invested ₹7 crore in instalments for the film's production. When he did not get the promised profit, he filed a complaint, and the Maradu police registered a case as per the direction of the Magistrate court.

The case is registered under Sections 120B (Punishment for criminal conspiracy), 34 (common intention), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

On July 26, the Kerala High Court granted anticipatory bail to the producers. But they were restricted from leaving the country without the court’s permission. 

(With Live Law inputs)