Kochi: The Crime Branch on Thursday submitted a chargesheet in connection with its investigation into the producers of the Malayalam film Manjummel Boys, who are accused of financial fraud. According to sources, the chargesheet, which spans over 1,000 pages, names actor-producer Soubin Shahir, his father Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony as accused.
Charges and Allegations
The charges against the accused include provisions for criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy. The case stems from a complaint filed by Siraj Valiyaveettil Hameed, a resident of Aroor. Hameed alleged that the accused accepted money from him with a promise to share 40% of the profits from the film. However, he claimed that the producers failed to fulfill their promise and did not distribute the profits as agreed.
Legal Proceedings
The accused had previously approached various courts, including the Supreme Court, seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) against them. However, their petitions were dismissed, allowing the investigation to proceed. The case was initially registered by the Maradu police in April 2024, following a directive from the Ernakulam first class magistrate court.
The chargesheet submission marks a significant step in the legal process, and further court proceedings are expected to follow.
