The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (October 13) directed the expeditious hearing and disposal of an appeal filed by Jiostar Pvt. Ltd. challenging a temporary injunction passed restraining the release of Hotstar webseries Anali, which is allegedly based on the Koodathayi murders. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 575]

A detailed order is awaited.

The injunction suit was filed by Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly, who is accused of the murders. The injunction order prohibited Jiostar from releasing, publishing, promoting, exhibiting, streaming, circulating, uploading, hosting, reproducing, sharing or otherwise disseminating the web series “ANALI” or any other promotional material or content that identified Jolly with the principal female character and creating an impression that she is the actual perpetrator or culprit.

The Bench of Justice Easwaran S. today passed a direction:

"Since the appeal is against a grant of injunction, it would be appropriate that this Court directs the 2nd Additional Sub Court to finally dispose of the appeal after hearing the parties on or before 31.10.2026"

Earlier this year, Jolly had moved a plea before the High Court seeking to restrain the series's release. The plea was dismissed and she was asked to pursue the statutory remedy available. Thereafter, the injunction suit was moved by her before the Munsiff Court, Ernakulam.

In August, the Munsiff Court granted an ex-parte temporary injunction restraining the release and circulation of the web series. Jiostar moved to vacate the order and the High Court had passed a direction for expeditious disposal of the same. However, the Munsiff court refused to vacate the injunction after hearing both sides. It is against this order that Jiostar had moved the High Court.

However, when the matter came up before the High Court for admission on Friday (October 9), it expressed disinclination to entertain the plea since the impugned order was one which could be appealed against. Accordingly, Jiostar moved an urgent appeal yesterday before the Sub Court.

With a direction to finally hear and dispose of the appeal, the Court disposed of Jiostar's plea.

Counsel for the petitioner: Santhosh Mathew (Sr.), Mathew Nevin Thomas, Veena Raveendran, Anil Sebastian Pulickel, Shinto Mathew Abraham, Karthik Rajagopal, Kurian Antony Mathew, Aparnna S., Noel Ninan Ninan, Adeen Nazar, Rohan Mathew, Saira Susan Jojoe.