'Mirzapur Series Tarnished Historical & Cultural Image Of City' : Supreme Court Issues Notice To Centre, Amazon Prime Video On Plea For Ban

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde heard the matter and proceeded to seek a response from the Respondents.

The plea, filed by Sujeet Kumar Singh, a resident of Mirzapur, submits that the intent of the petition is to protect the historical and cultural value of the district of Mirzapur located in Uttar Pradesh, and that the web series, by showing vulgar and shameless scenes, attempts to mar the name of the city.

By showing every resident of Mirzapur as a "goon, vagabond and adulterer in front of the country", it is submitted that the web series has "completely tarnished the historical and cultural image of the city/district".

The petitioner states that the city of Mirzapur is famous for its religious places and natural spots.

The plea further underlines the fact that the web series is full of "nudity, vulgarity, harass and abusive language" and that such shows are in clear violation of the dictum of the Supreme Court.

"Because such movies and web series are clear violation of the dictum of the Supreme Court to block the Publication or transmission of obscene material in any electronic form, transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act or conduct and also publishing or transmitting of material sexually explicit act or conduct and also publishing or transmitting material depicting children in sexually explicit act or conduct forthwith".

The plea also raises the issue that due to the nudity and abusive language embedded in the movie, it is not possible to watch the same while sitting with a family member.

The petitioner complains that every Mirzapur resident is feeling "shy and hesitant" to interact with outsiders who have watched the series.

In light of the above, the plea seeks for a ban on the release of Mirzapur 2, the sequel, and for directions to set up a pre-screening committee for content that is directly released on online platforms. It further prays for censorship of these shows and shows, on par with movies that get censored before releasing in theatres.

An inquiry has also been sought to be initiated against Excel Entertainment, Amazon Prime Video as well as the actors in Mirzapur under Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, Cinematograph Act, and Information Technology Act, 2000.