PM Modi biopic: SC dismisses petition seeking stay on release of movie

The apex court said that too much time of the court has been wasted already, therefore, the EC should decide whether it is violation of the model code of conduct.

The court even refused to see the trailer of the film./ FILE IMAGE

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea filed by a Congress activist seeking stay on release of "PM Narendra Modi", a biopic on the Prime Minister. The court said that the appropriate body to address the petitioner's concerns is the Election Commission, as it is a constitutional body. The court also said that it was not entertaining the petition for the stay on the release of the film as the plea is "premature" as the movie has not yet been certified by the Censor Board. The EC should decide if the release of the film in the wake of upcoming Lok Sabha elections tilts the balance or benefits a particular political party during the elections.

Supreme Court dismisses a plea seeking stay on release of Vivek Oberoi starrer biopic 'PM Narendra Modi'. The Bench says the film has not yet been issued the certificate by Censor Board. Court says it is to be decided by the EC whether the movie can violate Model Code of Conduct. pic.twitter.com/UA2pU90wfz

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019

The apex court said that too much time of the court has been wasted already, therefore, the EC should decide whether it is violation of the model code of conduct. The court even refused to see the trailer of the film. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that the certificate of the film is yet to be issued and asked the EC to decide how does the film impact the upcoming elections, and creates political mileage for a particular party. Rubbishing the arguments of counsel for petitioner the court said the film is not yet released. "How does it disturb the natural balance of level playing field in politics" -- cannot be decided by the court, the bench said.