The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed proceedings in a case registered against Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon over allegations of publishing or transmitting obscene content from her past films and advertisements.
Justice V.G. Arun passed the interim order while hearing a plea filed by Menon seeking to quash the FIR, which was registered under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, relating to the electronic transmission of obscene material, and relevant provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
The court also issued notices to the State of Kerala and the complainant whose petition had earlier prompted a magisterial court to direct the police to file the FIR.
The case comes at a politically sensitive time for the actor, who is currently contesting for the president’s post in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). Elections to AMMA’s executive committee are slated for August 15.
Shwetha Menon, known for her performances in acclaimed films like Salt N’ Pepper, Rathinirvedam, and Kalimannu, has argued that the content in question is being taken out of context and that the charges are baseless.
Further hearing on the matter is awaited.
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