The Kerala High Court said judicial officers remain impartial and are not influenced by films or media while deciding cases. It stated this while hearing an appeal to stay Malayalam film Kaalam Paranja Kadha linked to Venjaramoodu murder.
Kerala High Court said it is confident that judicial officers can remain impartial and are unlikely to be influenced by films or other media depictions of cases before them.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Gopinath P. and Justice Johnson John was hearing an appeal against a decision of a Single Bench that had rejected a request to prevent the release of the Malayalam film Kaalam Paranja Kadha, which is alleged to have been inspired by the Venjaramoodu mass murder case.
The Court stated,
“We are unable to accept any suggestion from you that a criminal court, a Sessions Court will decide a case on the basis of what is seen in a film. Assuming that the film is a depiction of the story. Which Sessions Court or Sessions Judge will decide a case on the basis of an impression gathered from watching a film, assuming that the judge watches the film? We can’t subscribe to the view that a film is likely to sway the mind of a judicial officer…As judges, we have no apprehension that the judicial mind, at least a judicial mind, will be influenced by any movie,”
The Justice added that,
“Today, the public perception is that the moment the police arrests an accused, he is already guilty. Then there will be media versions, talk shows on TV channels. People claiming to be well-versed with the law sit and discuss,”
Justice Gopinath orally observed that it would be overly speculative to assume that a film depiction could interfere with a trial process,
“See, it is too far-fetched. I can tell you from our experience sitting on this chair. Mine for 6 years. My brother would have been sitting for 30 years.”
Justice Gopinath also shared that he had observed such discussions in a matter he had handled earlier.
Justice Gopinath, however, made it clear that the Court would not accept any suggestion that a judge’s decision could be swayed by cinematic portrayals.
The appeal was filed by the father of a murder accused, who argued that his son’s trial could be unfairly affected by how the incident is portrayed in the movie.
The Venjaramoodu mass murder case stems from a February 2025 incident, in which the sole accused, Afan, is alleged to have killed five members of his family including his paternal grandmother, younger brother, uncle, aunt and girlfriend while also attempting to kill his mother. The criminal trial is still pending.
The appeal, filed by Abdal Rahim the father of the sole accused challenges an April 7 judgment by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, which had dismissed a writ petition seeking to block the film’s release.
During the hearing, the Court stated that the trial would not be impacted by the film, as judges would decide based on evidence and since witnesses for both the prosecution and defence had already been listed.
The Court further observed that the appellant had not watched the film yet. On that basis, it declined to pass any interim order preventing the release and listed the matter for further hearing after the Court’s vacation.
Rahim is represented by advocates Sajju V and Ajmal A.
The filmmakers’ counsel informed the court that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has already certified the movie and that it is expected to be released shortly after incorporating the modifications suggested by the Board.
Case Title: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors.