NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court refused to ban the release of Bollywood movie Santa Banta Pvt Ltd but directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to consider if its approval required a review in the light of objections by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).
The DSGMC and the Dharam Parchar Committee had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the HC, pleading that the producers had portrayed the Sikh community in a defamatory and denigrating manner in the movie.
It was clear from the posters and the trailer released on the Internet that the film had projected the community as a laughing stock, they contended.
The producers, Viacom18, pleaded that objectionable posters had been withdrawn.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath said it was not in a position to ban the movie in the absence of legal provisions. Under Section 5C of the Cinematograph Act 1952, only the film producers could approach the HC challenging the CBFC’s refusal to clear any movie.
“We therefore consider it appropriate to direct the CBFC to treat this petition as a representation and consider whether the U/A certificate issued to the film requires reconsideration,” the HC said, asking the producer and the director to file their response with the board within two days.
The Supreme Court is already hearing PILs by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, DSGMC and others, seeking a ban on Sardar jokes.
