Kochi: The Kerala High Court has rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the film “Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond”, observing that the plea was unnecessary. The court also criticised the petitioners while dismissing the case.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Souman Sen and Justice Shyamkumar VM dismissed the petition filed by retired teacher Chandra Mohan KC, social activist and retired teacher Mehnas P Muhammed, and others.
The court noted that it was not appropriate to entertain the PIL because other petitions related to the film were already pending before both the single bench and the division bench of the High Court.
The development comes after a series of legal proceedings surrounding the film. On February 27, a bench comprising Justices Sushrut Dharmadhikari and P.V. Balakrishnan granted permission for the film’s release on the same day it had been banned for 15 days.
Despite being released in theatres, the film has reportedly failed to attract audiences. Due to the lack of viewers, several theatres have reduced the number of shows screening the film.
Last Friday, the Kerala High Court set aside an interim order that had stalled the release of the film, allowing its release to proceed, Bar and Bench reported.
A division bench comprising Justices SA Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan vacated the 15-day stay imposed a day earlier by single-judge Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas. The single-judge had, stayed the film’s release and directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine representations filed against it.
Following the order, the film’s producers moved an appeal. The Division Bench convened a special sitting to hear the matter. After over two hours of arguments, the Bench reserved its verdict and delivered its decision at 4 pm on Friday, lifting the stay.