Kerala High Court Halts Proceedings Against Actor Shwetha Menon

The Kerala High Court has issued an interim stay on proceedings against Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon, following a complaint alleging the dissemination of obscene content from her past films. The decision came on March 15, 2025, during a hearing concerning a First Information Report (FIR) filed against the actor.

The FIR was initiated by social activist Martin Menachery, who claimed that Menon shared explicit scenes from films including Rathinirvedam, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, and Kalimannu, as well as a condom advertisement. The complaint accused her of violating section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act and provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

During the court proceedings, Justice V G Arun noted the necessity of adhering to proper investigative protocols before the FIR was filed. He remarked that the requirements for calling for a police report and conducting an inquiry were not followed. The court ordered the registry to obtain a report from the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Ernakulam regarding the protocol followed in advancing the complaint to the police.

In her plea to dismiss the FIR, Menon argued that the allegations are “mala fide” and lack legal basis. She emphasized that the films referenced in the complaint were appropriately censored and available to the public for years. Furthermore, she highlighted that her role in Paleri Manikyam earned her a Kerala State Award for Best Actress.

Menon dismissed claims from Menachery that she sought financial gain through the alleged obscene content. The actor also argued that the suggestion of her involvement in operating pornographic websites is unfounded and defamatory.

This controversy arises as Menon is currently running for the presidency of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a position previously held by Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who stepped down last year following the Justice Hema Committee Report.

As the legal proceedings unfold, both parties await further developments from the Kerala High Court regarding the future of this case.