In a significant legal reprieve, the Kerala High Court on Thursday issued an interim stay on proceedings related to a First Information Report (FIR) lodged against renowned Malayalam film actor Shwetha Menon. The FIR, filed under Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act for allegedly publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form, and provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, accuses Menon of sharing objectionable scenes from her past movies and advertisements.

The interim order, passed by Justice V G Arun, was in response to Menon’s plea to quash the FIR, with the court also issuing notices to the state government and the complainant who prompted the magisterial court’s order to register the case.

Shwetha Menon, celebrated for her roles in films such as Salt N' Pepper, Rathinirvedam, and Kalimannu, is currently a candidate for the president’s post in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), with the organization’s executive committee election scheduled for August 15, 2025.

The allegations stem from a complaint claiming that Menon shared or transmitted content deemed obscene, though specific details of the material in question remain undisclosed in public reports. The court’s decision to stay the proceedings provides temporary relief to Menon as she navigates both her legal challenges and her campaign for a leadership role in AMMA, a prominent body representing Malayalam cinema artists.

This ruling underscores the ongoing tension between artistic expression and legal boundaries in the digital age, particularly under stringent IT laws. As Menon prepares for the AMMA election, the stay offers her a crucial window to focus on her candidacy while the court evaluates her plea to dismiss the FIR. The case’s outcome could have broader implications for how content from films is regulated in electronic media, spotlighting the challenges faced by public figures in the entertainment industry.

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