KOCHI: The High Court on Wednesday rejected the plea filed by the rape victim seeking to deny screening permission of 'Padavettu' directed by Liju Krishna, who is accused in a sexual abuse case. The woman said there is a criminal case against Liju and hence the screening of the film should be stopped until the trial is over.

However, the Central Government and the Censor Board have clarified that the allegations of the complainant are not related to the screening of the film and hence they cannot interfere in the matter. Taking this into account, Justice VG Arun rejected the petition of the woman.

Central government lawyer Jaya Shankar V Nair pointed out that the demand of the woman was earlier rejected by the Censor Board. The woman alleged that the director had made her do many types of work for the film 'Padavet' starring Nivin Pauly, but did not give her any professional credit. She said releasing this film is a denial of justice to them.

The woman's complaint was that since 2020, Liju Krishna sexually assaulted her after giving her marriage promises. She made the allegations for the first time through the Facebook page called Women Against Sexual Harassment. Then Liju was arrested from the a film location in Kannur.

The crew is trying to get 'Padavettu' to theaters on September 2. The political thriller film stars Shine Tom Chacko, Aditi Balan, Shammi Thilakan, Manoj Mon and Ramya Suresh along with many new faces. Music Saragama's cinematic division Yodley Films and Sunny Wayne Productions have jointly produced the film.