SC clears way for Indu Sarkar, film to hit screens as per schedule

Mumbai: The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the decks for the release of Bollywood movie 'Indu Sarkar' on Friday by dismissing a plea of a woman, who claims to be the biological daughter of late Sanjay Gandhi, for a stay on its screening.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said the Madhur Bhandarkar-directed movie, which is based on the 1975-1977 Emergency period, is an "artistic expression" within the parameters of law and there was no justification to stall its scheduled release on Friday.

Bhandarkar's counsel told the bench, also comprising justices Amitava Roy and A M Khanwilkar, that they have already carried out the cuts suggested by a committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the disclaimer put forth in the movie was absolutely clear that it has no resemblance with any person, living or dead.

"As far as exhibition of the movie is concerned, we are of the convinced opinion that it is an artistic expression within the parameters of law and there is no justification to curtail the same," the bench said.

The apex court said the plea filed by the woman challenging the Bombay High Court's July 24 judgement was "devoid of merits".

Priya Singh Paul, who claims to be the biological daughter of late Sanjay Gandhi, had moved the apex court against the Bombay High Court's verdict dismissing her plea to quash the certificate granted to the movie by the CBFC.

During the hearing on Thursday, her counsel alleged that the film contains ‘concocted facts’ and maligned the image of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay.