SC refuses to interfere with EC order staying release of ‘PM Narendra Modi’
Mumbai: On Friday the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Election Commission’s (EC) order banning the release of Vivek Oberoi starrer biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, “We are not inclined to interfere.”
The Election Commission on Monday had submitted a report before the top court gratifying the ban on the release of ‘PM Narendra Modi’. The bench had directed that the report be served to the petitioner (producers of the movie).
The report drafted by the Election commission described the film as “hagiography” that may disturb the level-playing field if released during elections. Recommending the ban should remain till the voting is over the poll body had said that the film can’t be termed as a biopic. It is a movie that “eulogises a political representative”, EC said.
EC officials watched the film on April 17 in a special screening on the directions of the Supreme Court. A committee of seven officials was set for a purpose was present for the screening of the biopic. The top court had asked EC to watch the movie ‘PM Narendra Modi’ and submit its view by April 22.
While the makers of the move rushed to the apex court challenging the stay on the film’s release on April 12. Sandip Singh the producer of the movie said the poll panel banned the movie without even watching it.
The film was going to release on April 11, conflicting with the commencement of the Lok Sabha elections in the country. However, on April 10, the EC stayed the release till general elections culminate.
