A Kerala court on Saturday (October 31) refused to vacate the temporary injunction order halting the release of JioHotstar webseries 'Anali', which is allegedly based on the Koodathayi murders.

A detailed order is awaited.

Smt. Ampilichandran P.B., Second Addl. Sub Judge, Ernakulam dismissed the appeal filed by Jiostar Private Ltd.

The order to halt the series was passed in an injunction suit filed by prime accused Jollyamma Joseph @ Jolly Joseph, who is accused of murdering six of her family members, including her first husband Roy Thomas, using cyanide, with the motive to take control of the family property. Her trial is under progress before the Additional District Court (Special Court for Trial for Maradu Cases), Kozhikode.

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.

Against this order, Jiostar had moved the High Court. However, since the High Court expressed disinclination to entertain the plea noting the impugned order was appealable, Jiostar moved appeal before the Sub Court. The High Court had then directed for the expeditious hearing and disposal of the appeal.

Counsel for the appellant: Veena Raveendran, Anil Sebastian Pulickel, Shinto Mathew Abraham, Leah Rachel Ninan, Mathew Nevin Thomas, Karthik Rajagopal, Kurian Antony Mathew, Aparnna S., Noel Ninan Ninan, Adeen Nazar, Rohan Mathew and Saira Susan Jojoe.

Counsel for the respondents: Arun V.G., Neeraj Narayan, Harikrishnan R., Saiby Jose Kidangoor, Kaleeswaram Raj, Thulasi K. Raj