Kerala HC allows Ansiba Hassan’s petition, directs Magistrate to freshly consider her complaint against actor Lakshmipriya

The Kerala High Court has permitted actress Ansiba Hassan to proceed with her petition, instructing a Judicial First Class Magistrate in Ernakulam to meticulously reevaluate her allegations against fellow AMMA members Lakshmipriya and Shwetha Menon. Justice Jobin Sebastian granted Ms. Hassan's request and mandated the Magistrate to contemplate whether a police investigation is warranted to gather evidence that cannot be obtained by the complainant herself.

Ms. Hassan had taken her case to the High Court, challenging a Magistrate Court order that declined to register a case based on her complaint regarding a video allegedly containing sexually tinged and defamatory statements about her. The video was reportedly published on social media early on June 26, allegedly featuring remarks by Ms. Lakshmipriya that sought to tarnish Ms. Hassan's modesty and womanhood.

Ms. Hassan argued that Ms. Lakshmipriya had intentionally posted the offensive remarks on social media. She had already reported the incident to the police and the Keralam Home Minister, but they claimed that an investigation had already been launched. Following a Magistrate hearing, the investigating officer, Palarivattom, stated that six witnesses had been interviewed, yet no evidence supported Ms. Hassan's claims.

Ms. Hassan contended before the High Court that the Magistrate had misinterpreted her allegations, asserting that the magistrate failed to recognize her complaint that the accused, Ms. Lakshmipriya, deliberately disseminated sexually colored remarks against her via social media.