CoP asked to restrict Baywatch viewing

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar said “We are not inclined to pass any blanket order suspending the screening of the film, when on the face of the averments in the writ petition; the film has been cleared by the CBFC.” The bench also held that “There are no cogent materials based on which this Court can definitely arrive at the conclusion that persons who are not adults are being allowed entry to the screening of the film. A blanket order suspending the screening of the film not only in this State, but all over India, as prayed for in the writ petition, prima facie appears to us to be motivated.” 

The writ petition filed by Vaikunth Kasthurirangan of Green Cross Health Organisation sought to suspend the screening of the movie on the basis that the film has misled the public by suppressing the fact that it had been certified with ‘A’ rating by the CBFC. He noted that the film was advertised for the first time on June 1, and that too without indicating that it had been allowed to be released with ‘A’ certificate. He also drew the attention of the bench to the website for online booking of tickets, which indicated ‘A’ certification endorsement. The plea also sought for a direction to CBFC and other authorities to impose such penalties and punishment on the violators.