Even Pornography Is Shown On OTT Platforms, Balance Needed: SC On Tandav Row

Certain OTT platforms, at times, show "pornographic contents" and there should be a mechanism to screen such programmes, the top court observed.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday delivered an oral observation stating movie or web series shown on some over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms such as Netfilx and Amazon Prime need to be screened just like movies before they are made available for viewers. 

Certain OTT platforms, at times, show "pornographic contents" and there should be a mechanism to screen such programmes, the top court observed directing the Centre to place its guidelines on regulating social media.

SC scheduled the hearing on the appeal appeal of Amazon Prime Video's India head Aparna Purohit against the Allahabad High Court order rejecting her anticipatory bail in connection with FIRs lodged over web series 'Tandav' on Friday (March 5). 

"We are of the view that some screening of OTT content should take place. A balance has to be struck as some OTT platforms are also showing pornographic materials on their platforms," a bench comprising justices Ashok Bhushan and R S Reddy said.

As per reports, the SC hearing on OTT regulations was conducted via video conferencing where senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Purohit, termed the FIRs against her as shocking.

Rohatgi argued that Purohit is an employee of Amazon and she is neither a producer nor an actor. "Still she has been made an accused in around 10 cases relating to the web series across the country," Purohit said.

After hearing the defendant, apex court noted that traditional film viewing has become obsolete, but for those movies there is a censor board. 

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre contended that they (OTT platforms) are showing filthy things with abuses too.

Several other FIRs have also been lodged against web series 'Tandav' starring Bollywood A-listers Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar and Delhi.