In a major relief for makers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s biopic, the Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday dismissed a PIL seeking postponement of film’s release date. The PIL was filed seeking a stay on film, ‘PM Narendra Modi’, considering the release date which comes at a time when the country is heading for general elections and the model code of conduct is in force.
The PIL sought the stay on the grounds that movie released during the model code of conduct will bolster image of PM Narendra Modi and influence voters. The movie is releasing on April 5 whereas the first phase of Lok Sabha elections is also due in April. Citing polls, Congress Seva Dal state president Yogesh Yadav had moved the petition through counsel Manish Yadav. Yadav through counsel also told court that he had lodged a complaint with Election Commission, which served notices to people concerned but did not defer release of the movie.
Yogesh Yadav had sought directions from the court to defer release of movie till elections get over. He also stated that if the release is not postponed then the expenses on the movie should be calculated in the expenses made by Modi in elections. Yogesh Yadav said in the movie promo, the actor who is doing role of PM Modi has been shown directing army, which is violation of Article 142 of Constitution. The division bench of Justice SC Sharma and Justice Sunil Kumar Awasthi rejected the petition observing that it does not require interference by the court. Earlier, Delhi and Mumbai High Court rejected the petitions.
