Supreme Court rejects fresh plea seeking stay on release of ‘The Kerala Story’: Orders to move to the High Court

Today, a fresh plea was mentioned by Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud seeking a stay on the release of the controversial movie ‘The Kerala Story’. The Supreme  Court refused to entertain the plea and asked the petitioners to move to the High Court. While mentioning the case, Senior Advocate Ahmadi told that the Kerala High Court refused to constitute a bench for hearing the case. He further said that a letter was sent to the Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice SV Bhatti, who said that a bench has been constituted. However, the petitioners were informed that the hearing could not be conducted as the constituted bench will not hold its sitting today. 

While rejecting the plea again, CJI noted that an order was already passed by the High Court on May 2 to decline an interim stay on the movie on the grounds of the certification granted by the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification). CJI said “The bench applied its mind. Look at it from the perspective of the film producer. How many times will this be challenged?” He added, “You can go back to the High Court.” During the proceedings, CJI said, “You must think of the actors, and producer, they have all put in their labor. You must be very careful about staying film. The market will decide if it is not up to the mark.” In this context, Justice Pardiwala opined “You appear before the High Court bench tomorrow at 10:15 AM. Try to convince the bench.” 

Advocate Ahmadi further told the bench to at least see the transcript of the teaser which was disturbing. To this, CJI said “The CBFC has approved the movie. The Kerala High Court has refused to stay the movie. Yesterday, we declined to entertain the Article 32 petition. Now at this stage, we can’t entertain the matter again.

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