The Kerala High Court has directed a Magistrate in Ernakulam to reconsider Malayalam actor Ansiba Hassan’s complaint seeking police investigation into alleged sexually coloured remarks and objectionable online content involving actor Lakshmi Priya and representatives of Can Channel Media.
Justice Jobin Sebastian passed the order on September 7, 2026, while partly allowing Hassan’s criminal miscellaneous case.
Background of the Case
Hassan had approached the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-IX, Ernakulam, alleging that an interview circulated on social media contained remarks and content concerning her that were intended to cause harassment, public humiliation and damage to her reputation.
She alleged offences under Sections 75(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, and Section 119(a) of the Kerala Police Act.
The Magistrate had declined to direct registration of an FIR and had treated the matter as a private complaint. Aggrieved by that order, Hassan approached the High Court.
High Court’s Observation
The High Court said the Magistrate must independently assess the allegations and the material placed on record before deciding whether police investigation should be ordered.
"The learned Magistrate shall independently examine the allegations contained in the complaint and the materials available on record and determine, in accordance with law, whether the allegations prima facie disclose the commission of any cognizable offence and, if so, whether the circumstances warrant a direction for police investigation under Section 175(3) of BNSS."
The Court also directed the Magistrate to consider whether police investigation was necessary to collect evidence that Hassan could not effectively secure herself.
Decision
The Kerala High Court partly allowed the petition and remitted the matter to the Magistrate for fresh consideration in accordance with law.
Case Details:
Case Title: Ansiba Hassan v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case Number: Crl.M.C. No. 6414/2026
Judge: Justice Jobin Sebastian
Decision Date: September 7, 2026
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