Padmaavat row: Supreme Court rejects plea to cancel CBFC certificate

The Supreme Court had on Thursday paved way for the nationwide release of ‘Padmaavat’ on January 25, staying the ban on the screening of the film by some states.

The Supreme Court rejected on Friday a plea seeking urgent hearing on a fresh PIL that sought cancellation of Censor Board’s certificate granted to controversial Bollywood movie ‘Padmaavat’.

Karani Sena members protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali film 'Padmaavat' near Jyoti Cinema Hall in Muzaffarpur on Thursday. (PTI)

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud also trashed the submission that the screening of the movie may cause serious threat to life, property and law and order.

“Maintaining law and order is not our job. That is the job of the state. Prayer rejected,” the bench said while refusing to accord urgent hearing on the fresh plea filed by lawyer ML Sharma.

The lawyer has sought cancellation of the U/A certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to Deepika Padukone-starrer ‘Padmaavat’ on various grounds including the provisions of the Cinematograph Act.

“Yesterday (Thursday), we have passed a reasoned order,” the bench said adding that, once CBFC has granted the certificate, there was no scope of any interference.

The court had also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film.

The movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, is based on the saga of historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.

Haryana and Madhya Pradesh governments have not issued any formal order but had stated that they would not allow the exhibition of the film.

Maintaining that states were under constitutional obligation to maintain law and order, the apex court had said that this duty also includes providing police protection to persons who are involved in the film, its exhibition and the audience watching it.