'Can plea against 'Sacred-Games' be heard as PIL?' asks HC
What's the story
Delhi High Court today sought to know whether it could hear as a PIL the plea against the Netflix series "Sacred Games" claiming that some scenes are derogatory to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and should be removed.
The bench said it has gone through the CD of the series and there was nothing urgent in it as all the episodes have been aired.
Court statement
Actors can't be held liable for enacting their characters: HC
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar asked how the actors could be held liable for enacting their characters.
The court said a person is entitled to express his views, which may be right or wrong.
"Are there other remarks or any other material as far as Rajiv Gandhi is concerned? You don't require any CBFC certificate before airing?" the bench asked.
Information
'Sacred Games' depicts Bofors case, Shah Bano case incorrectly
The court was hearing a plea filed by petitioner advocate Nikhil Bhalla, through advocate Shashank Garg. It contends the show, starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, "incorrectly depicts (the country's) historical events... like Bofors case, Shah Bano case, Babri Masjid case, and communal riots"
Netflix statement
Series has 8 episodes, doesn't require CBFC certificate: Netflix advocate
Senior advocate Chander Lal, appearing for Netflix, and senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing production house Phantom, said the series has eight episodes that have already been aired and does not require a CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) certificate.
The petitioner's counsel said Bhalla has a history of being a Congress member and it was not a case of personal interest.
Plea
What exactly does the plea say?
The plea has sought directions to Netflix Entertainment, the show's producer, Phantom Films Production Ltd, and the Center to ensure "in toto" removal of the allegedly offensive scenes and derogatory remarks made against Rajiv Gandhi or his family.
The show's first season, comprising eight episodes, was released on July 6 and is available in 190 countries in four languages, the petition has said.