State film awards: HC dismisses appeal

KOCHI: The High Court also rejected the appeal filed by director Lijeesh Mullezhathu against the rejection of the plea seeking cancellation of Kerala State Film Awards. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashish J Desai and Justice VG Arun dismissed the appeal, stating that there was no evidence and no reason to interfere with the judgment of the single bench, which alleges that Ranjith, chairman of the Film Academy, interfered in the decision of the award.

The film directed by Lijeesh, 'Akashamuthu', was submitted for the award but was rejected by the preliminary committee. Yesterday, when the appeal was heard, the division bench asked where the producer of the film was and whether the producer has a coomplaint or not. The court also asked for the evidence stating the interference of the academy chairman.