Nothing objectionable: Allahabad High Court junks plea against Jolly LLB 3

The Allahabad High Court recently rejected a petition seeking a ban on release of Akshay Kumar-starrer Jolly LLB 3 for allegedly demeaning the legal profession [Jay Vardhan Shukla And Another v Union of India and 6 Others].

The Division Bench of Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh watched the three official trailers/ teasers of the movie and found nothing objectionable in them to warrant the Court’s interference.

“We have also gone through the lyrics of the song "Bhai Vakeel Hai" and we do not find anything which may interfere in the practice of the legal profession by genuine Advocates,” the Court ruled on September 02.

The petitioner Jay Vardhan Shukla moved the Court stating that the movie ​​portrays legal profession in a derogatory manner. The trailer and the songs being widely circulated on YouTube and other social media platforms have already begun to prejudice the minds of the practicing advocates causing grave injury to the judiciary, it was submitted.

“The derogatory portrayal in Jolly LL.B. series discourages the persons from joining the legal profession and creates disillusionment among law students, thereby affecting the future of justice delivery system,” the Court was told.

In response, Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey questioned the maintainability of the plea on the ground that the petitioner had not made any representation to the competent authority against the movie. 

It was also submitted that for online content, those aggrieved are to first approach the intermediary or the publisher under The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The Court found substance in the objection raised by the Union of India and thus dismissed the plea.

“We find from the petition that the petitioners have not yet approached any authority as given under the Rules, 2021. We find the preliminary objection raised by the learned Deputy Solicitor General of India to be of some substance,” it said. 

Advocates Rishab Khare and Anadi Chitranshi represented the petitioner.

Senior Advocate SB Pandey with advocate Varun Pandey represented the Union of India

[Read Judgment]