Upcoming Bollywood film “Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd.”.
Despite controversies and court cases, the movie Santa Banta Pvt Ltd is set to release on Friday as scheduled. The Delhi High Court on Sunday dismissed a contempt plea filed by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee (DSGMC).
The DSGMC argued that Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairman Pahlaj Nihalani and movie director Amit Shrivastava had failed to comply with court orders to give it a “proper hearing” against the release. The plea filed through advocate SS Ahluwalia had also sought a stay on the release of the film.
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During arguments, Advocate Harvinder Kaur, appearing for the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee, said that the film board had refused to allow the DSGMC representatives to watch the film, thus denying their right to raise objections. The Sikh organisation had alleged that the posters and trailers of the film indicated that it was “insulting and derogatory” toward the Sikh community.
The Centre’s standing counsel Anil Soni, however, told the bench of Justice JR Midha that the rules of the certification board did not allow for private third party access to an unreleased film.
The bench also took note of the Central Board of Film Certification order, which has recommended further cuts in the movie, and has also directed the film producers to insert a disclaimer in the film, stating that “the film is a tribute to the Sikh community for their contribution to the motherland.”
On April 19, the Delhi high court had directed the CBFC to give a hearing to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee representatives, which was done on Wednesday. The board then issued a detailed order on the issue on Thursday, which was then communicated to the Delhi High court.
Justice Midha also noted that a stay order could not be granted in a contempt plea. “An injunction cannot be granted under a contempt action. The court can’t pass orders which are a subject matter of writ jurisdiction. You should have filed a writ petition,” said Justice Midha.
