Bengaluru Court Restrains Release Of Film On Veerappan On His Wife's Plea

The ex-parte temporary injunction order was passed on January 8, by the 4th Addl. City Civil & Sessions Judge, in Bengaluru.The direction was passed on the suit filed by V Muthulakshmi, wife of the deceased bandit M Veerappan.

Advocate H V Praveen Gowda, appearing for the plaintiff submitted that that defendants are going to exhibit the movie "Veerappan, Hunger For Killing" portraying the life of M Veerappan as a villain, based on false and fabricated story and it will result in violation of right of privacy and infringement of on private life. It was pointed that the portrayal of late Veerappan will add sense of shame to the plaintiff 's family which will injure the right to life, liberty and dignity of the plaintiff and her family members. Further, it was said that the release of the film would amount to violation of the Copyright Act.

He relied upon the rulings rendered by the Supreme Court in the case of R. Rajagopal Vs State of T.N., 1995 AIR 264. The judgment of Delhi High Court in the case of Phoolan Devi Vs Shekhar Kapoor and others, 57(1995) DLT 154 and the order of the Madras High Court in the case of K. Ganesan Vs Film Certification Appellate Tribunal and others, to support his case.

Following which the court said "No reason is made out to disbelieve the assertions of the plaintiff. The court feels that the right of privacy of the plaintiff is to be protected. Issuance of notice will defeat the purpose by the delay. The Plaintiff will be put to hardship if Temporary Injunction as prayed is not granted."

The court then went on to order ex-parte Temporary Injunction as prayed in I.A.No.1 is granted till the next date of hearing. The matter will be next heard on February 6.