KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has sought an explanation from the state government on the plea for quashing the state film awards announced on July 21. The plea said Kerala Film Academy Chairman Ranjith illegally intervened in the decision of the state film awards. The court directed to give an explanation within four days. Justice Basant Balaji, who considered the plea also directed to include secretary of the department of culture, as a party. The plea has been postponed to Friday.

Lijeesh Mullezham, the director of the feature film 'Akashathinu Thazhe', which competed for the award, approached the high court seeking cancellation of the awards announced. Director Vinayan had accused Ranjith of interfering in the jury's decision in the selection of awards. The plea demanded that he was a victim of nepotism and that the government and the DGP should be directed to investigate Ranjith's interference in the selection of the awards.

The controversy started with the allegation that Ranjith intervened to ignore director Vinayan's film in the selection of the state film awards, and it has now reached the high court.

Vinayan had released the phone conversation of the jury member Nemom Pushparaj to substantiate the allegation that Ranjith had communicated among the jury members to deliberately avoid his directorial Pathonpatham Noottandu. Vinayan said the selection of film awards, which was under the control of the public relations department, was brought under the control of the film academy through the intervention of the high court to avoid government influence and that it has been sabotaged now.