The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a petition challenging certain controversial dialogues and scenes in the movie ‘Hamare Baarah’, starring Annu Kapoor.
On June 19, the Bombay High Court permitted the film’s release following agreements by its creators to remove objectionable portions. During the hearing on Friday before a vacation bench of justices Vikram Nath and S V N Bhatti, the petitioner was allowed to withdraw the plea.
“The writ petition challenges certain controversial dialogues and scenes in the film,” said the petitioner’s counsel.
The Supreme Court noted a similar petition had been addressed the previous week. It pointed out the Bombay High Court’s decision to allow the movie’s screening and suggested the petitioner could contest that ruling.
“The high court has reviewed the matter and subsequently permitted the film’s release. If you remain dissatisfied, you may challenge it,” the bench stated.
The petitioner’s counsel mentioned filing the plea on June 7 in the apex court, which was delayed in listing.
“We are not inclined to hear this matter on its merits today,” the bench observed. “Let’s adhere to the procedure consistent with our system,” it added, noting the high court’s review of the film and its directive to remove certain scenes and dialogues.
“If you seek permission and file an appeal against the high court’s order, then this court can appropriately review your independent grounds,” the bench remarked.
The counsel then requested permission to withdraw the petition, which the bench granted with the liberty to file a fresh petition challenging the correctness of the high court’s judgment.
Earlier, on June 13, the Supreme Court had stayed the movie’s release scheduled for June 14, following allegations that the film denigrated the Islamic faith and married Muslim women. The bench had halted the film’s screening until the high court’s final decision.
The film had become embroiled in legal disputes after several petitions in the high court alleged it was derogatory to the Islamic faith and the Muslim community. A division bench of the high court viewed the film and recommended changes, which both the filmmakers and petitioners agreed to. The high court instructed the makers to make the necessary alterations before releasing the movie.
