Kochi, April 2 -- The Kerala high court on Tuesday refused to stay the screening of Malayalam film L2: Empuraan, which has been mired in controversy over its alleged critique of right-wing politics.

A bench of justice CS Dias refused to pass an interim order on a plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thrissur district committee member Vijeesh Vettam, who moved the court seeking a directive to ban the film's screening in theatres. The plea claimed that the film had visuals alluding to the 2002 Gujarat riots and portrayed central agencies in a way that undermines their integrity.

Justice Dias said that the court suspected his bona fide especially since the film has received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (...