Padmavati: SC rebukes persons in public offices for making prejudicial comments

The Supreme Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate ML Sharma challenging the release of the movie Padmavati in foreign countries..A Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud also took objection to the fact that persons holding public offices had commented on the release of the film..The Court in its order noted,.“When a matter is pending for consideration before CBFC, how can persons in public authority comment on whether CBFC should issue certificate or not? It will prejudice the decision of CBFC.”.The Bench also rebuked petitioner ML Sharma for certain pleadings made by him in his petition, which were noted as unwarranted and scurrilous..Sharma appeared in person, while Senior Advocate Harish Salve appeared for Padmavati Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He was briefed by Mahesh Agarwal of Agarwal Law Associates. Additional Solicitors General Maninder Singh and PS Narasimha appeared for the Centre..The Court warned Sharma, but refrained from imposing costs on the ground that he is a practising advocate..This very Bench had dismissed a similar petition earlier this month, stating that since the CBFC has not yet certified the film, the Court has no jurisdiction to entertain this matter as a writ petition under Article 32.