Koodathayi murder case: HC declines Jolly Joseph’s plea to halt OTT series ‘Anali’
Director Midhun Manuel Thomas, who has helmed the web series, has been arrayed as the fifth respondent, with notice ordered to be served on him through a special messenger.
Director Midhun Manuel Thomas, who has helmed the web series, has been arrayed as the fifth respondent, with notice ordered to be served on him through a special messenger.
Director Midhun Manuel Thomas, who has helmed the web series, has been arrayed as the fifth respondent, with notice ordered to be served on him through a special messenger.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday declined to halt the release of the Malayalam web series 'Anali' on Jio Hotstar, following a plea filed by Koodathayi murder accused Jollyamma Joseph, alias Jolly.
Jolly is facing trial for the alleged murder of six members of her family, including her first husband, Roy Thomas, by administering cyanide to gain control over family property. The trial is currently underway before the Additional District Court in Kozhikode.
When the petition came up for hearing, Justice V G Arun refused to grant an interim stay on the web series. The judge orally observed:
“There is nothing concrete except teaser where the story has some similarity to the issue...It has not been telecasted till date. I'm not going to stay it now. Merely surmises and conjectures...See, there is a question of artistic freedom also. Where is the complete prohibition against taking a cue from something which has really happened? How many cinemas have we come across? Right from Sukumara Kurup onwards. But then you have a case because it is pending trial. That is right. Cases are not decided based on cinemas, is it?”
The court admitted the plea and issued notice to the respondents. It also directed Jolly’s counsel to implead the Union government as a party to the proceedings. The Deputy Solicitor General of India took notice on behalf of the Central Board of Film Certification, while the Government Pleader appeared for the state.
Director Midhun Manuel Thomas, who has helmed the web series, has been arrayed as the fifth respondent, with notice ordered to be served on him through a special messenger. The court further permitted service of notice to Jio Hotstar, the publisher of the series, through email. The matter has been posted for further hearing on January 15.
(With LiveLaw inputs)