Rajasthan High Court Issues Notice On Asaram Bapu's Plea Seeking Ban On Movie ‘Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai’

The Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice on a plea seeking a ban on the movie 'Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai' in theaters as well as on OTT platforms.. The court has also issued notice on the application seeking interim stay on the movie's release during pendency of the petition.

The petition has been filed by Asaram Bapu, who is currently in jail in a rape case, and Om Prakash Lakhani, a trustee of Sant Shri Asaram Ji Ashram Charitable Trust. The plea alleges that the movie has been made on the life of Asaram Bapu without his permission and depicts him in a negative character.

Justice Pusphendra Singh Bhati in the order dated May 19 said, “Issue notice. Issue notice on the stay application also. Rule is made returnable on 23.05.2023.”

Actor Manoj Vajpayee is playing the lead role in the film, which is directed by Apoorv Singh Karki and produced by Zee5 Studio and others.

According to the petition, Asaram's reputation and privacy rights have been violated by the film, which allegedly portrays him as a villainous character named "Ravana" who has committed heinous crimes.

The same has a "volcanic effect" on the sentiments of lakhs of devotees and followers of Sant, the petition states. The petitioner argues that the picture has been architected and produced by picking on a singular criminal case fought by an ordinary lawyer from Jodhpur.

"The very object of this film is to directly defame and damage the character and reputation of Petitioner No. 2 and to hit the sentiments of his devotees and lakhs of followers, who hold so much of respect, regard and spiritual faith in his character, and to indirectly damage to the Hindu religion at the world platform...," the plea alleges.

Case TItle: Om Prakash Lakhiyani & Anr Vs. Union of India

Appearance: Advocates SP Sharma a/w Vipul Singhvi, Retha Ramdohia,Lalit Koshire Sen & Yashpal Singh for the petitioners

Click Here To Read/Download Order