A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala stayed the ban order of West Bengal and also directed the State of Tamil Nadu to provide security to theatres.

"West Bengal by an order dated May 8 issued an order under Section 6(1) read with section 4 of West Bengal Cinemas Regulation Act prohibiting exhibition of the film in entire West Bengal. Prima facie we are of the view that the prohibition by West Bengal is not tenable on the basis of material before. Thus the order banning the film is stayed," the Court ordered.

Regarding Tamil Nadu, the Court noted the State's submission that the screening of the film has not been directly or indirectly prohibited in the State.

"While recording this we direct that adequate security shall be provided to every cinema hall and requisite arrangement shall be made to ensure safety of movie goers. No express steps whether tacit etc shall be taken to prevent screening of the film," the Court underlined.

Importantly, the Court directed the film makers to ensure that by 5pm on May 20, the movie carries a disclaimer clearly stating that the film is a fictionalised version of events and there is no authentic data to back up the figure of conversion (of women to Islam) is 32,000.

Regarding the challenge to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certification, the Court said it would be listed after summer vacations as the Court would first have to see the movie for that.

"The challenge to the final judgment of the Madras High Court challenging the CBFC certification we will list after vacations. We will have to see the film for that. We will do that," the bench said.

Former ASG and Union Minister Satyabrata Mookherjee passes away