SC clears way for release of movie 'Nanak Shah Fakir'

The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared way for nation-wide release of the movie 'Nanak Shah Fakir' on April 13.

The SC said once the film has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification, no body, group, association or individual can create any kind of disturbance in its exhibition.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrchud said that any individual or group trying to become law unto themselves is "unacceptable". "If such activities are encouraged, the same has the potentiality to bring in anarchy and cripple the right of freedom of speech and expression," the court said.

The court passed its interim order after hearing senior advocate R S Suri, who, appearing for film producer Harinder Singh Sikka, contended that organisations like 'Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee' had opposed the release of the movie based on the life and teaching of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru - on the ground that it violated their sentiments.

The court directed the Union government and other authorities to ensure that no law and order situation is created when the film is released. It issued a notice to the Centre and others and put the matter for consideration on May 8.

"Once the film is granted certificate by the competent statutory Board unless the said certificate is nullified or modified by any superior authority, the producer or distributor of the film has every right to get it exhibited in a movie hall," the bench said.