PIL in Punjab and Haryana High Court to restore Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj on Zee5

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the restoration of the Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film Satluj on the Zee5 OTT platform.

The film, based on the life and death of human rights activist Jaswant Singh, Khalra was taken down from the OTT platform just two days after its release. Earlier, the film had remained stalled for three years after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to approve it for theatrical release without alterations.

Since its online release and subsequent removal from Zee5, the film has remained in the headlines. The Union government has also constituted a panel to review its content.

Today, a Punjab resident and Zee5 subscriber, Sharwan Singh moved a plea before the High Court seeking the restoration of the movie, arguing that the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression was being curtailed due to the movie's removal from the OTT platform.

"The abrupt removal of the film, without disclosure of any statutory order, judicial direction or lawful authority, has not only curtailed the fundamental right of the public to receive information and artistic expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India but has also deprived thousands of bona fide subscribers of access to content for which they had already paid consideration," the plea contends.

The PIL states that sudden withdrawal of the film based upon documented historical events and the life of a human rights defender whose case has already been adjudicated upon by constitutional courts has given rise to serious concerns regarding transparency, freedom of artistic expression, and the possible existence of undisclosed executive interference.

"The film 'Satluj' is a biopic based upon true facts and life story of late Jaswant Singh Khalra and does not affect the sovereignty and integrity of our country in any manner nor is it aimed to disrupt public order," the plea states.

The petitioner has argued that the PIL is fully maintainable under Article 226 (writ jurisdiction) of the Constitution of India as it seeks enforcement of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.

The plea also raises issues of significant public importance concerning freedom of speech and expression, the public's right to receive information, artistic freedom, transparency in executive action and adherence to the rule of law, Singh said in the plea.

He has further contended that the movie's removal from the OTT platform has deprived thousands of bona fide Zee5 subscribers of access to content for which they had already paid consideration.

"Such deprivation, in the absence of authority of law, is arbitrary, unreasonable and contrary to the constitutional mandate of fairness, transparency and the rule of law," the plea submits.

Advocates Hakam Singh, Ajayvir Singh Randhawa, Shruti and Anmol Jeevan Singh Gill represent the petitioner.