A Supreme Court Bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, dismissed a fresh petition seeking an order to restrain the producers of movie Padmavati from releasing it abroad.
Lawyer M L Sharma also sought a direction to the CBI to register a case against film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and others for various ‘offences’, including defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act.
”Grave damage would be done to social harmony if the movie is allowed to be released outside India”, the petitioner argued.
However, the court took strong exception to the statements made by persons holding high offices against Padmavati, saying the remarks were tantamount to pre-judging the movie, which is yet to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The Bench, which also comprised Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, termed “misconceived”, the prayers sought by Mr. Sharma in his fresh petition.
The Bench, however, did not impose cost on Mr. Sharma, keeping in view the fact that he has been a practising lawyer of the apex court.
The set of the movie was vandalised twice — in Jaipur and Kolhapur — and Mr. Bhansali was roughed up by members of Karni Sena during the Jaipur schedule of the film earlier this year.
