The city police have constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged financial fraud related to Malayalam film Manjummel Boys. The team will be investigating the case registered with the Maradu police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) Vinod Pillai will supervise the SIT comprising Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and the District Crime Branch ACP, sources said. The SIT has been formed even as the investigation into the case has been moving at a slow pace.
The case was registered over a complaint by Alappuzha-based businessman Siraj Valiyathara Hameed who accused the producers of the film of not paying him the principal amount and profit share for the money that he had invested in the production of the hit film.
The police registered the case on April 23, 2024, against the producers of the movie, Parava Films, a limited liability partnership firm, and its partner Shawn Antony, actor-producer and partner of Parava Films Soubin Shahir, and his father Babu Shahir. The Kerala High Court had dismissed the petitions filed by the accused seeking to quash the cheating and forgery cases registered against them.
The police registered the case on the direction of the Ernakulam First Class Magistrate Court after Mr. Siraj alleged that he was denied 40% share of the profits as reportedly promised. According to the producers, Manjummel Boys had collected over ₹200 crore following its massive theatrical success, including in Tamil Nadu.
The police have booked the accused under IPC Sections 120b (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for cheating), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention).
Published – September 13, 2025 12:59 am IST
