Kerala High Court Rejects Plea Of "Manjummel Boys" Producers Seeking Relaxation Of Bail Conditions To Attend Award Show In Dubai

The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Shawn Antony and Soubin Shahir, the producers of “Manjummel Boys” film, seeking relaxation of anticipatory bail conditions which prevent them from leaving India without permission of the Court.

The producers, accused in a cheating case, sought to attend an award show in Dubai. Justice V G Arun however dismissed their plea.

The petitioners said they seek modification of condition 'f' in the bail order, which prevents them from leaving India, as they have been invited to attend the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2025 in Dubai, where the movie 'Manjummel Boys' has been nominated for the “Best Movie Award”.

When the matter was first taken up for admission last week, the vacation bench had orally observed that there is malafide in the petitioners' booking the tickets for the travel without getting permission from the Court.

A crime was registered by the Maradu Police under Sections 120B (Punishment for criminal conspiracy), 34 (common intention), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for cheating) of the Indian Penal Code against Shawn Anthony, Soubin Shahir and the latter's father, who were producers of the movie.

The de facto complainant has alleged that the petitioners cum producers, made 'Manjummel Boys' under the banner of their production company M/S Parava Films LLP. It was alleged that the petitioners induced him to invest Rupees 7 crores on a promise that he would be paid 40% of the profits of the movie as per the terms of the investment agreement entered into between the parties, and the petitioners have failed to repay the profits as per the terms of their investment agreement.

The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to the petitioners with conditions by an order dated 26.06.2025.

Case Title: Shawn Anthony and Anr v State of Kerala

Case No: Crl. M C 7955/ 2025

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 560

Counsel for Petitioner: Thomas J Annakkallunkal, Anupa Anna Jose Kandoth, Jayaraman S, Dhanya Sunny, Ann Milka George 

Click Here to Read/ Download Judgment