A bench headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit stated that pre-censorship of the web series is impermissible. “How can there be a pre-screening committee for web series? There is particular legislation. Unless you say OTT is also a part of it..you must say that existing legislation must apply to OTT. Various questions will arise because transmission occurs from other countries”, the bench said.
What the matter was?
The Supreme Court was hearing a case filed by Mirzapur resident Sujeet Kumar Singh for setting up a pre-screening committee for web series, films, or other programs which are directly released on Online platforms. The court refused to put a stay on the 3rd season of the series, which is currently under production. The PIL that was filed claimed that the makers have shown Mirzapur as a city of goons and adulteresses thus tarnishing the image of Uttar Pradesh. The series was also called out for having terror, crime, and other illegal activities. It was accused of damaging the historical and cultural image of the city as there was loads of nudity, vulgarity, harassment, and abusive language. The one who filed the petition demanded that the GOI set up a screening committee for web series, and films which release on OTT. “Ministry of I&B to make certificate mandatory from a government authority before releasing any web series movies or program. The government of India should set up rules and regulations for series, movies, and other programs which are released on web platforms and must be censored like other movies before their release in theatres,” the plea added.
About the series
Δ
