SC stays all criminal proceedings against Priya Prakash Varrier and makers of 'Oru Adaar Love'

The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, stayed all criminal proceedings against Priya Prakash Varrier for her wink in the song Manika Malaraya Poovi from the Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love. Additionally, the Apex Court also stayed all criminal proceedings against the film’s producer Joseph Valakuzhy Eapen and director Omar Abdul Wahab. The honourable court, which heard the matter on an urgent basis following the request of the actress’ lawyers the day before, also stated that no FIR can be lodged against them in any state in future for hurting religious sentiments of Muslims. 

Eighteen-year-old Priya became an internet sensation following the clip of the song — in which she tweeks her eyebrows and winks at her co-actor Roshan Abdul Rahoof — going viral on social media. Within a week, she became the most searched actress on the internet. And on the other hand, FIRs were lodged against the actress in Maharashtra and Telangana, alleging that the lyrics were offensive and hurt religious sentiments. Subsequently, FIRs were also lodged against the film’s makers. 

Yesterday, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud heard Varrier’s counsel Haris Beeran (pictured left) before ordering a stay on criminal proceedings. The Bench asked Haris Beeran why they have not approached the High Court. When told by the lawyer that there were multiple proceedings in different High Courts, the SC issued a notice while ordering that “Any criminal action initiated against the petitioner on the basis of the promotional video Manikya Malaraya Poovi in the movie Oru Adaar Love shall remain stayed.”

The Court also ordered that no new criminal action shall be initiated against the petitioners on the basis of the song.