A court in Kochi has sentenced Malayalam film producer Joby George to two years of imprisonment in connection with two separate cheating cases involving financial fraud and false promises of overseas opportunities. The verdict was delivered by an Additional Sessions Court, marking a significant development in a long-running legal battle against the producer.
According to the court proceedings, the cases were related to allegations that the producer collected large sums of money from individuals by promising jobs, visas, and business opportunities abroad. Investigators revealed that the accused had taken money from victims while assuring them of arrangements in the United Kingdom, including employment and business partnerships. However, the promised opportunities never materialized.
In one of the cases, a complaint was filed by Rajesh Mathew, who alleged that the producer collected nearly ₹50 lakh after promising to arrange a UK employment visa. When the arrangement failed to materialize, the accused reportedly issued a cheque as partial repayment, but the cheque later bounced. Following this, the victim approached the authorities and filed a formal complaint, leading to a criminal investigation.
Another case involved a couple, Biju Varghese and Darley Biju, who claimed that the producer had promised to help them establish a business in London and arrange admission to a UK college. The couple reportedly paid around ₹17.75 lakh after being assured of business partnership opportunities and educational arrangements. Later, they realized that the claims were false and that no such arrangements existed.
After reviewing the evidence and testimonies, the court found Joby George guilty in both cheating cases. The judge sentenced him to two years of imprisonment in each case and imposed financial penalties totaling more than ₹66 lakh. The court also noted that the accused had intentionally misled the complainants from the beginning.
Meanwhile, the court acquitted the producer’s wife Sunimol and his mother Alice George due to a lack of evidence linking them to the fraud allegations.
Joby George is known in the Malayalam film industry for producing several movies under his banner Goodwill Entertainments, including titles such as Shylock, Kaaval, and Kishkindha Kaandam.
The court has allowed the producer to file an appeal in a higher court, and the sentence has been temporarily suspended for a short period to enable the legal process to proceed.
The verdict has sparked discussions within the Malayalam film industry and among the public about accountability and transparency, especially when public figures are involved in financial dealings and overseas opportunities.
