AMMA crisis: Four women members call for seizure of documents from Shwetha Menon’s panel

The legal battle involving the rival factions in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) has intensified as four actors – Maala Parvathi, Ansiba Hassan, Usha Haseena, and Ponnamma Babu – have urged the Registrar of Co-operative Societies to seize the books of accounts and financial documents that continue to be under the possession of the panel led by actor Shwetha Menon that had announced its resignation at the general body meeting held on June 21, 2026.

In a letter dated July 26, 2026, the actors urged the Registrar to “exercise the powers vested under Section 19 of the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955, and such other enabling provisions of law as may be applicable, to safeguard the interests of the association and its members”.

“We further request that immediate directions be issued to the bank concerned to refrain from honouring any cheque or permitting any operation of the association’s accounts until the lawful governing body assumes complete charge of the books of accounts, financial records, banking credentials and other assets of the association,” it said.

The actors recalled that Ms. Menon had announced her resignation from the office of president as well as her resignation from its membership at the general body meeting. She further declared before the general body that the entire governing body had decided to resign along with her. The former president addressed the media outside the venue of the meeting and reiterated that she had resigned both from the office of president and from the membership of the association. She also confirmed before the media that the entire governing body had resigned, they said.

The letter states that the members then decided to elect a new governing body in order to ensure the continued functioning of the association. Actor Jagadeesh was entrusted with the process of constituting a new governing body under the chairmanship of Ramesh Pisharody, actor and MLA. The newly constituted governing body was unanimously approved by the members present in the general body meeting.

‘Contrary’ to the declaration

The actors pointed out that Ms. Menon publicly claimed that she had not resigned and continued to function as the president a few days after the general body meeting. Such conduct is “contrary” to the declaration made by her during the general body meeting and before the media and is also inconsistent with the provisions of the by-laws governing the association, they said.

“We have further learnt through media reports that the minutes of the general body meeting allegedly prepared and submitted before your office and certain courts do not faithfully reflect the actual proceedings that took place during the meeting. It is further reported that the statutory procedure required for the preparation and authentication of the minutes was not followed. If these reports are true, they raise serious concerns regarding the authenticity of the minutes and indicate the possible submission of fabricated or forged documents before the statutory authorities as well as judicial forums. Such allegations warrant an immediate and independent inquiry, and if found to be true, appropriate legal and penal action may kindly be initiated against those responsible,” according to the letter.

The actors said the association maintains more than ₹6 crore in its bank accounts. “We are informed that several signed cheque leaves continue to remain in the possession of the former office-bearers. The bank concerned may not yet have been informed of the change in the governing body and may inadvertently honour cheques presented by persons who are no longer authorised to operate the accounts of the association. Such a situation exposes the association and its members to the risk of serious financial loss and possible misappropriation of its funds,” they said.

The actors pointed out that the former office-bearers “have not yet handed over” the books of accounts, statutory records, office keys, cheque books, banking credentials, financial records and other assets of the association to the governing body elected at the general body meeting, despite having no lawful authority under the by-laws to retain custody of the same. The continued withholding of these records and assets has severely affected the day-to-day functioning of the association.

Several members who are dependent on the regular supply of medicines [a welfare activity of the association] have informed Ms. Hassan, former joint secretary who had co-ordinated the initiative, about the disruption of the service, they claimed.

The panel led by Ms. Menon had earlier rejected reports of administrative paralysis in the association. In a letter sent to the members, they had claimed the welfare and other daily activities of the actors’ body were progressing without any hiccups.