Jolly LLB 2: SC Allows HC Panel To Scrutinize Movie

In a setback to Fox Star Studios, the producers of Akshay Kumar starrer movie Jolly LLB2, the Supreme Court today refused to order the release of the movie and permitted the three-member panel appointed by the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court to view it today afternoon and ascertain if it showed any scenes denigrating the judiciary

Despite vehement pleas by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal and Siddharth Luthra who appeared for the producers, a bench headed by Ranjan Gogoi said for the time being it will not issue any order and asked the producer to raise all the plea before the HC concerned.

When Sibal said “I myself has seen the trailer on the basis of which the panel was formed and release stayed there is nothing in it ..absolutely nothing, Justice Gogoi retorted “You put up your defence before the High Court..say all this there..if you are unable to convince them then come back. Anyways the hearing there is on February 6..we shall hear it on 7th. Anyways the scheduled release is only on 10th so don’t worry”.

 The row over Jolly LLB 2 has reached the Supreme Court on February 1

Fox Star Studios moved the Supreme Court challenging the January 27 order of the Bombay HC order to appoint a three member committee to review the film.

Sibal repeatedly sought the permission to release the movie contending that it has already been cleared by the censor board.

The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court had asked the committee to find out whether the allegations levelled by petitioner Ajaykumar Waghmare are true.

Waghmare is a practising lawyer from Nanded, who had said that the film is "nothing but an attempt to portray the Indian Legal Profession and Judicial System as a laughing stock to the society at large."

Waghmare said that the characters in Jolly LLB 2 are playing cards and dancing in the premises of the Court of Law which clearly shows disrespect towards judicial discipline, proceedings and ethics. The characters jumping on the judge's dais and fighting in court shows mockery of the court.

Waghmare had formed his opinion after watching the trailers. He also attached a copy of the trailer in his petition as well. However, senior lawyer P M Shah appearing for the filmmaker has quashed the baseless allegations and said that the complete picture of the film cannot be formed on the basis of trailers.

The bench, consisting of justices VM Kanade and Sangitrao Patil had said, "We have seen the photographs; one of which shows a lawyer jumping on the dais and arguing with the judge. The second photograph shows the judge hiding below the dais and passing some orders by banging the gavel on the table."

With this, the court felt that "prima facie, though the above referred photographs do indicate total disrespect or disregard to the high office of this court, we cannot jump to that conclusion unless the contexts in which these scenes are shown, are examined in their proper perspective".

Thus, the court felt that it is necessary to appoint a committee as amicus curiae to watch the film and submit a report.

With this, the court appointed advocates VJ Dixit and RN Dhord, along with medical officer Dr PR Kanade as amicus curaiaes to watch JollyLLB 2 on February 1. After the committee's report, the case will be called for hearing on February 3.

This article has been made possible because of financial support from Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation.