KOCHI, JUNE 26, 2025 –The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor-producer Soubin Shahir and film producers Shawn Antony and Babu Shahir in connection with a cheating case related to the hit film Manjummel Boys.
The order was passed by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas in the case titled Shawn Antony & Ors v. State of Kerala. The court found that custodial interrogation was not required, given the nature of the dispute.
“Since primarily the distribution of profits and the mode of investment carried out by the parties are the source of this dispute, I am of the view that a majority of those aspects are governed by documentary evidence. Custodial interrogation is not necessary in every instance,” the Court stated.
COURT DIRECTS APPEARANCE BEFORE POLICE
Despite granting anticipatory bail, the Court directed the accused—Soubin, Antony, and Babu—to cooperate with the investigation. They have been asked to appear before the investigating officer on July 7 and, if necessary, on July 8, between 10 AM and 5 PM.
KERALA HIGH COURT: BACKGROUND OF THE DISPUTE
The case stems from a 2022 investment agreement between Parava Films LLP—a production house owned by Soubin, Antony, and Babu—and Siraj Valiyathara Hameed. As per the agreement, Hameed invested ₹7 crore for the production of Manjummel Boys, in return for 40% of the net profits.
Following reports that the film grossed over ₹250 crore, Hameed demanded his share of the profits. In response, the producers stated that the profits would be distributed only after full accounting of revenue and expenses.
LEGAL ACTIONS AND POLICE COMPLAINT
Dissatisfied, Hameed approached a commercial court, which passed an ex-parte order attaching the accounts of Parava Films and restraining the producers from utilizing the film’s profits or releasing it on OTT platforms.
He subsequently filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC):
Section 120B (Criminal conspiracy)
Section 406 (Criminal breach of trust)
Section 420 (Cheating)
Section 468 (Forgery)
The accused then moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail and also filed a petition to quash the FIR, which was dismissed in May 2025.
PETITIONERS’ ARGUMENTS
In their plea for anticipatory bail, the producers relied on clauses from the investment agreement that specified Hameed’s profit entitlement would arise only after all financial aspects were settled.
They also pointed out that arbitration proceedings were already initiated by Hameed, and alleged that the criminal complaint was:
“only to gain publicity and an attempt to pressure them into settling the civil dispute.”
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
Petitioners (Soubin, Antony, and Babu) were represented by:
Senior Advocate P. Vijaya Bhanu
Advocates Thomas J Anakkalunkal, Anupa Anna Jose Kandoth, Jayaraman S, Dhanya Synny, Ann Milka George, and Sherin Rachel Santhosh
Respondent (Siraj Hameed) was represented by:
Advocates Saiby Jose Kidangoor, Benny Antony Parel, Pramitha Augustine, Afsana Khan, Sreeraj S Rajaram, Sneha J, Adarsh Padmanabhan, and Amal Dileep
