The Supreme Court on Friday closed the proceedings on a batch of petitions relating to the controversial 2023 film, The Kerala Story, while leaving open the question of law relating to challenges to certification of films by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Chief Justice of India Surya Kant-led bench on Friday disposed of dozens of cases which were filed either during the COVID-19 period or became infructuous due to passage of time. The Kerala Story hit the theatres on May 5, 2023. What did the bench state? Dealing with two pleas seeking cancellation of CBFC certification of The Kerala Story, the bench, which also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said that the petitions have become infructuous. The third plea filed by the film’s producers, Sunshine Pictures Pvt Ltd and Vipul Amritlal Shah, was withdrawn. The petition had challenged the then West Bengal government’s decision to ban the film. The top court, in May 2023, had stayed the ban imposed by the state government. Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for petitioners Qurban Ali …