Padmavati row: SC dismisses plea to stall release of movie abroad

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday took strong exception to statements made by persons holding high offices against the film ‘Padmavati’, saying the remarks were tantamount to pre-judging the movie which is yet to be certified by the Censor Board.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra dismissed the fresh petition that had sought an order to restrain the producers of the movie from releasing it abroad.

Lawyer M L Sharma had also sought a direction to the CBI to register a case against director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and others for various offences, including defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act.

The bench which also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud termed as “misconceived”, the prayers sought by Sharma in his fresh petition and said that the court cannot pre-judge a movie which is yet to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The irked bench, however, did not impose a cost on Sharma keeping in view the fact that he has been a practising lawyer of the apex court.