The Kerala Story film ban case; SC issues notice to TN, WB and seek their replies on film makers plea

New Delhi, May 12 (Bureau) Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where ‘The Kerala Story’ film is withdrawn from theatres and it asked them to file their respective replies by Wednesday, when it would hear the matter next. A bench of the Apex Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud, issued notice to WB, TN govt and sought their replies. The Apex Court told TN Govt that it is the state’s duty to provide adequate security to filmgoers and not cite breach of peach peace to force theatres withdraw film. It also asked the West Bengal Thay why should ‘The Kerala Story’ be banned? If the film is screened in other parts of the country which have similar demography as WB, why should it be not shown in WB? Why should WB ban it? The Supreme Court issued notice to WB and TN Govt, on hearing a plea filed by the makers of the film ‘The Kerala Story’ challenging the ban on its screening by the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal and a ban in Tamil Nadu.

Senior Advocate and former Solicitor General (SG) Harish Salve, appearing for the film producers, said that this is a petition under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution. One State has put a de facto ban, other has used its powers under Cinematograph Act, and banned it. Senior advocate, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for State of West Bengal, said that they should go to the High Court, your lordship had earlier said we should go to the High Court. Also, we received huge number of intelligence reports, on breach of public order. The CJI said that let the public decide, it may be good art or bad art, let the public decide if they want to see or not, the film is running in other states with similar demographics. After hearing this, the CJI said, we will issue notice and fixed the matter for further hearing to May 17, Wednesday.