NEW DELHI: The Allahabad High Court has recently made significant developments regarding the controversial film Adipurush, as it has summoned the director and producers of the movie to appear before the court on July 27. Additionally, the court has requested the central government to establish a committee consisting of five members to provide its views on the film and evaluate whether it has offended public sentiments.
A vacation bench comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Shree Prakash Singh was assigned to address the separate petitions filed by Kuldeep Tiwari and Naveen Dhawan, both seeking a ban on the movie. In response to these petitions, the court has taken the step of summoning the film's director, Om Raut, producer Bhushan Kumar, and dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir to appear before it at a later date.
In addition to summoning the individuals involved, the court has also directed the central government to review the decision of granting a certificate to the film. This suggests that the court has concerns about the certification process and wants a thorough examination of whether the necessary guidelines were followed.
The court's order, which was uploaded on the high court's website on Friday, further specifies that the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) must submit their personal affidavits. These affidavits should explain whether the film's certification guidelines were adhered to in both letter and spirit.
To ensure compliance, the court has set a deadline for the submission of these affidavits. If the required affidavits are not filed by the given date, the court has indicated that a Class-1 officer, not below the rank of deputy secretary from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as well as a responsible officer from the CBFC, must appear in person along with the relevant records.
Additionally, the court has instructed the director, producer, and dialogue writer to submit their personal affidavits explaining their bona fide intentions and actions. By doing so, the court aims to understand the perspectives and motivations behind the creation of the film.
It is worth noting that the court has refrained from passing any interim orders or taking coercive action against the individuals involved until it receives their responses on affidavits. This indicates the court's commitment to a fair and thorough examination of the matter before making any decisions.
The Allahabad High Court last heard the case on June 28 and has now taken a significant step by summoning the film's makers and seeking the government's opinion through the committee. This development underscores the court's intent to delve deeper into the film's impact on public sentiments and ascertain whether the certification process adhered to the necessary guidelines. The court's actions reflect its commitment to ensuring that public sentiments are respected and that proper procedures are followed in the certification of films.
ALSO READ: Meghalaya: Solar Lights Installed in West Garo Hills Villages to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict
ALSO WATCH: