Tandav Row: Allahabad HC Lucknow Bench Extends Interim Protection From Arrest For Amazon Prime Video Head Aparna Purohit In Lucknow FIR Till April 6

A Single Bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, while adjourning hearing of Purohit's anticipatory bail plea, extended the protection granted to her till the next date of hearing, i.e. April 6.

Meanwhile, the Lucknow Police has been directed to complete investigation in the matter.

The UP Government had told the Allahabad High Court that the makers of the web series 'Tandav' have been booked for portraying 'God' in a very derogatory manner.

Opposing the anticipatory bail application, the authorities said that "the visual and wordings used by certain actors in the said web series contain certain scene portraying 'God' in a very derogatory manner for which the said F.I.R. has been lodged."

The AAG submitted that the public opinion after watching the web series was so "provocative" that the State was persuaded to lodge an FIR.

On February 11, the High Court precluded the UP Police from taking any coercive action against Purohit. Subsequently, she was asked to appear before the investigating authorities and fully cooperate in the ongoing investigation.

Reportedly, Purohit appeared before the SIT on February 24 and on march 8. Further, she has been asked to re-appear on March 18.

In related news, Purohit has secured interim protection order from the Supreme Court following refusal by the Allahabad High Court in connection to another FIR registered against her in Gautam Buddh Nagar, over the Tandav controversy.

Stating that western filmmakers have refrained from ridiculing Lord Jesus or the Prophet but the Hindi filmmakers have done this repeatedly and still doing this most unabashedly with the Hindu Gods and Goddesses, the Allahabad High Court had denied Pre-arrest bail to Purohit (in the GB Nagar FIR) on February 25.

Purohit has been booked for alleged commission of offences under Sections 66 (Computer related offences), 66F (Punishment for cyber terrorism) and 67 (Transmitting obscene material) IT Act, 2008 (as amended) apart from Sections 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups), 295 (Defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion), 505(1)(b) (Public mischief), 505(2) (Statements promoting hatred between classes), 469 (Forgery for purpose of harming reputation) of IPC.

Case Title: Aparna Purohit v. State of UP & Anr.

Click Here To Download Order

Read Order