‘Will we need a special court to consider petitions from AMMA?’ asks Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has expressed criticism over the high number of petitions arising from disputes between members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). The court made the observation while considering a petition to quash the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against actor Lakshmipriya and others based on a complaint filed by fellow actor Ansiba Hassan.

Justice Jobin Sebastian sought the State’s response to the petition filed by Ms. Lakshmipriya, her husband P. Jayesh and Thripunithura Vanitha Cell sub-inspector Reshma. “Will we need special courts to hear cases arising from disputes within AMMA? The problems of the common people lie in wait, as we clear these issues,” the court remarked.

The FIR charged the three accused with offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Kerala Police Act, 2011, including criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement, forgery, vexatious search, seizure or detention and charges of a public servant disobeying the law to cause injury.

Initial complaint

Ms. Lakshmipriya initially lodged a complaint with the Tripunithura Women’s Cell alleging that Ms. Hassan, through a WhatsApp message, had caused family disputes between her and Mr. Jayesh. In this regard, Ms. Hassan was summoned by sub-inspector Reshma, who informed her that a case had been registered based on Ms. Lakshmipriya’s complaint.

Subsequently, Ms. Hassan filed a complaint with the Station House Officer, Hill Palace Police Station, Ernakulam, alleging that “the accused unlawfully summoned her, wrongfully restrained her, intimidated and compelled her to sign a statement, prepared and utilised records adverse to her interests and damaged her reputation”.

‘Threatened’

She complained that Ms. Reshma threatened her that unless she answered questions, she would be implicated in a criminal case and sent to jail. She stated that Ms. Lakshmipriya arrived thereafter and joined Ms. Reshma in the questioning. She also stated that she was compelled to apologise to Mr. Jayesh and then forced to sign a statement recording a settlement that did not reflect her side.

Ms. Lakshmipriya, in her petition, claimed that filing a genuine complaint could not be construed as forgery, and that Ms. Hassan had dragged the allegedly settled issue to AMMA, which escalated into other serious disputes. She also stated that Ms. Hassan had recently filed complaints against her and other distinguished members of AMMA before different police stations in the city. Ms. Lakshmipriya also alleged that Ms. Hassan intended to tarnish the fame and reputation she and her colleagues held.