Court dismisses Sandra Thomas’ plea challenging rejection of nominations for president’s post in KFPA

KOCHI: Actor and producer Sandra Thomas has suffered a setback in the case to contest in the polls of Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA). The court dismissed her plea filed against the rejection of her nomination papers for the posts of president, treasurer and executive committee. Sandra's plea was rejected by the Ernakulam sub-court. Sandra filed a case in the court challenging the rejection of her nomination papers. Sandra had responded to the media after the verdict.

Sandra said, ‘The verdict is disappointing, unexpected, and future steps will be taken after consulting legal experts.’ Sandra approached the court stating that the decision of the returning officer who conducted the evaluation in the association was biased. Sandra had revealed that the organization's bylaws did not state that a returning officer could be appointed to scrutinize the association elections and that the appointment of a returning officer not in the bylaws had also been questioned in the court.

The returning officer rejected the nomination, citing that the number of films required to show eligibility had not been provided. Sandra claimed that she had produced nine films. Seven films in collaboration with Friday Films and two under her own banner. However, the returning officer's stand was that she, as a producer, should have censor certificates for three films independently. The returning officer said that out of the three certificates provided by Sandra, the first one was under the banner of Friday Films and that it could not be considered. When Sandra objected, the returning officer advised her to approach the court.