Thiruvananthapuram/IBNS: Kerala High Court judge Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, who recently imposed an interim stay on the controversial film Kerala Story: Goes Beyond, has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, media reports said.
Justice Dharmadhikari will succeed outgoing Chief Justice Mohan Srivastava, who is set to retire on March 5.
On Thursday, a Kerala High Court bench comprising Justices Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan ordered a two-week interim stay on the release of the sequel, dealing a setback to its makers.
The court directed that the film must not be released until arguments in the case are completed.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by Sreedev Namboodiri, who sought cancellation of the U/A certification granted to the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The petitioner alleged that the film maligns and stereotypes the people of Kerala and presents a misleading portrayal of the state.
During the hearing, the court criticised the CBFC for granting certification “without applying its mind” and directed the board to reconsider the petitioner’s concerns.