हिंदी

High Court Issues Notice On 2 Petitions Moved Against Movie Based On Delhi Riots

Delhi Riots

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice in response to two petitions seeking to postpone the release of 2020 Delhi, a film based on the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, which is set to premiere on February 2, 2025.

The petitions allege that the filmmakers bypassed legal procedures, misrepresented constitutional principles, and presented a distorted narrative of the events.

Justice Sachin Dutta’s bench has scheduled the hearing for January 31, 2025, and has issued a notice to the movie’s makers.

The first petition, filed by Sharjeel Imam—an accused in the larger conspiracy case—claims that the film’s trailers portray him and other accused individuals as terrorists, despite no formal charges being framed yet.

Represented by Advocate Warisa Farasat, Imam argues that such depictions are premature and prejudicial, potentially influencing public perception and legal proceedings. His plea asserts that the film’s release could irreparably damage the reputations of the accused and their families while the legal process is still ongoing. Imam further contends that given the gravity of the charges against him—including those carrying the death penalty—it is crucial to ensure a fair trial free from external bias.

The petition also calls for a court-directed pre-screening of the film and requests the removal of all promotional materials, including posters, trailers, and teasers, until the trial concludes. Imam’s plea highlights that the movie’s promotional content claims to be based on true events, potentially misleading the public into believing that the depictions are factual. He argues that this could unfairly impact his pending bail application and influence judicial proceedings.

A second petition, filed by several accused individuals and victims of the riots through Advocate Mahmood Pracha, seeks to revoke the film’s certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and demands a postponement of its release. The petition argues that the film presents a misleading version of the riots while legal cases involving both complainants and accused individuals remain unresolved. It warns that releasing the film at this stage could cause severe prejudice to ongoing trials and interfere with the judicial process.

The court’s decision on these petitions will be closely watched, as it raises critical questions about the balance between artistic expression and the potential impact of cinematic portrayals on legal proceedings.

Read More: Supreme CourtDelhi High CourtStates High CourtInternational

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About the Author: Meera Verma

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