'Infructuous': Kerala High Court Closes Challenge To Film Allegedly Inspired By Venjaramoodu Mass Murder Case After Its Release

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (May 21) dismissed the appeal challenging dismissal of a plea to stall release of the movie 'Kaalam Paranja Kadha' that is allegedly inspired by the sensational Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case.

When the matter came up today before the Division Bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Preeta A.K., Advocate Sajju V. appearing for the appellant submitted that the appeal has become infructuous since the movie has already been released. He then prayed for withdrawing the appeal.

The Court then dismissed the appeal as 'withdrawn'.

The Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case relates to the alleged murder of five relatives of Afan and the attempted murder of his mother. Afan is arrayed as the sole accused in the case pending before the Principal Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram.

The writ petition before the Single Bench was preferred by the father of the accused, who stated that the movie may prejudice the trial in the case, which is still pending before the Sessions Court.

The petitioner had stated that the movie is causing defamation to his family if the society is able to identify the person through the movie. He further argued that the petitioner's family did not invite public scrutiny and the right of artist to portray an artwork must not trample upon the dignity of a living family.

The Single Judge had held that the petition was moved based on an assumption of the petitioner that the movie was based on the murder case since he has not seen it. It was also found that the Court cannot interfere with the release of a movie on a supposition that the same would affect trial.

The appeal is moved by Advocates Sajju V. and Ajmal A.

Case No: WA 924/2026

Case Title: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 278