"Freedom of speech can not be gagged by fear of the crowd": SC asks WB Govt to pay an indemnity of 20 lakhs to the producer of the film who was the subject of a unofficial ban

The Supreme Court of Judges DY Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta today asked the Government of West Bengal to pay compensation of 20 lakhs to the producer of the film "Bhobhishyoter Bhoot", which was facing a "no" ban. official "of the state. .

In addition, the Court imposed a charge of 1.1 lakh on the Government of the World Bank.

The Court expressed grave concern about "growing intolerance" in society against artistic freedom.

"Freedom of expression can not be gagged the fear of the mob," said the court.

Earlier, the Court issued an interim order directing the WB government to ensure the proper showing of this film "Bhobishyoter Bhoot".

The film directed by Anik Datta had been screened controversially because of its zany satirical content political parties. In its motion, Indibily Creative Pvt Ltd, the film's producer, alleged that the state of West Bengal was abusing police power and acting as a "super-censor". The producer claimed that such an impediment to the broadcast of the film violated his rights, to the extent that he had duly obtained an AU certificate for the movie Central Film Certification Board (CBFC).

The Court stated in its previous interim order: " Time and time again, in decisions of this court, it was held that once a film had been duly certified by the CBFC, no state government authority or other could issue any formal or informal instructions preventing the producer from viewing the film.These state acts directly infringe upon the fundamental right to freedom of word and expression "

On March 26, the Court ordered the Senior Secretary of the Department of the Interior of the Government of West Bengal and the Director General of Police to immediately address communications to all theaters where the film was originally screened, telling them that there was no ban on film projection.

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The petitioner informed the court that he had received a letter from the Kolkata Police Intelligence Unit (SIU) requesting a pre-screening of the film for the purpose senior officials of the Kolkata Police Intelligence Unit. The letter allegedly claimed that it was because the content of the film was likely to offend public feelings, which could lead to political and public order issues. The petitioner badured the State Police that the CBFC had already taken these concerns into account when issuing the certificate.

Nevertheless, without any communication from the exhibitors, the producers learned the second day of the release of the film that he had gone out. the majority of cinemas and viewers are reimbursed the price of their tickers. Local staff and the director, along with some cast members and the team who visited Inox South City, learned that unnamed "superiors" had ordered them to remove the film today. -the. The petition claims to have been informed by several exhibitors, under the guise of anonymity, that the head of the police station of the local police station had ordered them to stop viewing the film with immediate effect.

"The petitioners urged the State to defend the rule of law and the right to freedom of speech and expression, without the contrary being seen, but the Government of West Bengal has maintained a silence conceals its obvious interference that manifests itself in the light of its previous communication through its state intelligence service and the remarkably organized / concerted withdrawal from the large-scale unlawful kidnapping of the film Kolkata Movie Theaters ", indicates the motion filed by Attorney Rukshana Choudhury.