BBC Modi series row reaches SC; Why court agreed to hear pleas challenging ban

The row over BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots has reached the top court. The Supreme court has agreed to hear petitions challenging Centre's decision to ban the controversial BBC documentary. Filing the plea, Advocate ML Sharma called the ban on 'India: The Modi Question' malafide, arbitrary and unconstitutional. A separate petition was also filed by journalist N. Ram and advocate Prashant Bhushan on taking down weeks with links to the BBC documentary. The petitions will be heard by the apex court on February 6.