Court takes up K.R. Meera’s criminal defamation complaint against Haritha Savithri
Writer alleges Facebook post and subsequent media interventions cast a shadow over the originality of her novel Khalachi; court to record her statement on November 7
The Thrissur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court has commenced a criminal defamation case filed by acclaimed author K.R. Meera against fellow writer Haritha Savithri, alleging literary plagiarism over claims made against Meera's novel, Khalachi. The lawsuit was lodged before Chief Judicial Magistrate Rajashree Rajagopal on Tuesday. The case was adjourned until November 7 for Meera to present her testimony.
The complaint asserts that a Facebook post by Savithri on May 5, 2026, coupled with subsequent social media responses and TV appearances, tarnished Meera's literary standing. Meera contends that the novel's genesis traces back to 2013, with its initial six chapters published under the same title on Truecopy Think website in November 2020.
Supporting documents affirming her position that the novel's characters, setting, and central themes were publicly available years prior to the dispute were also submitted alongside the complaint. The accusation alleges that unfounded allegations and insinuations have clouded Meera's creative endeavors and tarnished her credibility as a writer in public perception. Meera represented by her attorney, advocate N.K. Unnikrishnan.
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