Manju Warrier files defamation suit against filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan
Bharatmorning.com – Manju Warrier files defamation suit against filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, seeking court intervention over allegations of repeated false and defamatory online content. The actor approached the Third Additional Munsiff Court in Kochi, which issued notices to Sasidharan, Malayalam online news portal operator Shajan Skaria and Meta Platforms Inc.
The court also granted an interim injunction restraining Sasidharan from allegedly making defamatory statements about Warrier. Third Additional Munsiff Court Judge Reeja R Nair directed the parties to return the summons by November 5, when the case is expected to be considered further.
Interim injunction in the Kochi court case
Warrier’s counsel, Santhi M, said the petition was filed to stop the alleged circulation of damaging claims through media outlets and social-media platforms. According to the lawyer, the temporary direction is intended to prevent further publication of the disputed material while the civil case remains pending.
A person named Sanal Kumar Sasidharan continuously defames Manju Warrier, gives false news against her, and creates around 10,000 pieces of content daily on media and social media to defame her.
Santhi said Warrier moved the court after alleging that the material continued to appear despite earlier legal action. The interim order does not amount to a final ruling on the allegations, but it directs Sasidharan not to allegedly defame the actor until the matter is heard in greater detail.
We have filed an injunction suit. In that suit, the Munsiff Court has now issued a temporary order instructing him not to defame Manju Warrier anymore. The Munsiff Court has issued a temporary injunction against Sasidharan.
An interim injunction is generally a temporary legal safeguard. It is meant to preserve the position of the parties during a dispute and does not decide the complete case or establish final liability at this stage.
Meta asked to remove allegedly defamatory content
In the case where Manju Warrier files defamation suit, the Kochi court also directed Meta to remove material alleged to be defamatory to the actor from its platform. The direction highlights the importance of online platforms in disputes involving posts, videos and other digital content that can be shared widely.
Warrier’s counsel said the actor had earlier initiated criminal cases against Sasidharan in 2022 and 2023. She also said Warrier had given statements before the court in relation to those matters, while alleging that false statements about her continued to be posted on social media.
The latest civil injunction proceeding concerns the alleged online material and the request to prevent its further circulation. The responses of Sasidharan, Shajan Skaria and Meta Platforms Inc. will form part of the court’s consideration as the case progresses.
Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s hunger strike
The legal dispute comes as Sasidharan stages a hunger strike outside the state Secretariat. Among his demands are the release of the Hema Committee report, a high-level inquiry into irregularities identified in the report, and an investigation into what he has described as a conspiracy behind two cases registered against him following complaints by Warrier.
The hearing scheduled for November 5 will be the next formal stage in the matter. Until then, the temporary court order remains in place as the court examines the allegations and the online content named in the petition.
Manju Warrier’s upcoming projects
While the case continues, Manju Warrier remains active in cinema. She appeared in L2: Empuraan in 2025 and featured in Mr X this year. Her announced projects include Nere Chovva, HappiLoop, Odiyan: The Age of Illusion and Ameriki Pandit.
FAQ: Manju Warrier’s defamation case
Why did Manju Warrier file the defamation suit?
Warrier approached the Kochi court alleging that false and defamatory content about her was being circulated through media and social-media channels.
What did the court order?
The Third Additional Munsiff Court issued an interim injunction restraining Sasidharan from allegedly making defamatory statements about Warrier. It also directed Meta to remove material alleged to be defamatory from its platform.
When will the case be heard next?
The parties were directed to return the summons by November 5, when the court is scheduled to take up the matter further.