HC Stays FIR Against Shwetha Menon Ahead Of A.M.M.A Election
kerala High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon, staying all proceedings against her in a case that had stirred political debates across the state.
The court’s move comes just days ahead of the A.M.M.A (Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes) executive committee elections, where she is a prominent candidate for the post of president.
Justice V.G. Arun, while issuing the stay, noted that the FIR registered by the Ernakulam Central Police raised serious questions regarding motive and legality. The court clarified that no further action shall be taken based on the FIR until further orders.
The FIR was lodged following a private complaint by Martin Menachery, a resident of Ernakulam, who accused Shwetha Menon of performing in films allegedly containing “vulgar and obscene scenes” for financial gain. He also alleged that clips from these films were being circulated on social media and adult platforms to gain popularity.
Acting upon a direction from the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate, the police registered the FIR against Menon under Section 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Sections 3 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. These provisions deal with the publication of sexually explicit content and aspects of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
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However, the actor strongly refuted the allegations, calling the FIR “malafide, absurd, and a blatant misuse of legal machinery.” She contended that all the films in question were duly certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and had been publicly released years ago.
In her plea before the High Court, Shwetha Menon said the allegations do not even prima facie constitute any offence. Highlighting her long-standing and respected career, Menon stated: “I have a good reputation in society and have been implicated in a crime due to a mindless reference of a fanciful complaint to the police. The complaint raises absurd and imaginary allegations that do not attract the offences alleged.”
She further pointed out that one of the films cited by the complainant is Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, in which she played a pivotal role.
The film not only won critical acclaim but also earned her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. Other films mentioned in the complaint, she noted, were widely appreciated for their narrative and artistic quality and had no intent of obscenity.
Even her appearance in a condom advertisement, which had sparked controversy in the past, was certified and publicly available, the petition added.
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The timing of the complaint has sparked widespread speculation, particularly as it comes just days before the A.M.M.A elections scheduled for August 15. Shwetha Menon is one of the high-profile candidates contesting for the post of president of the influential actors’ body.
Several actors and film industry insiders have condemned the FIR, calling it an attempt to malign her character and derail her election campaign. Some allege that the complaint is part of a targeted smear campaign, timed strategically to affect her credibility and prospects.
In his interim order, Justice V.G. Arun expressed concern over the Ernakulam CJM Court’s decision to forward such a complaint to the police without proper legal scrutiny.
While refraining from detailed commentary at this stage, the judge suggested that judicial responsibility must not be exercised mechanically, especially in matters that can damage a person’s public image.
The High Court made it clear that the complaint, in its current form, appeared to be based on misunderstanding, misinformation, or worse—motivated intent.
