SC orders special screening of Sadda Haq; Senior Advocates Fali S Nariman, Rajiv Dhawan, and ASG Indira Jaising to attend the screening

The Supreme Court today ordered for a special screening of the Punjabi movie Sadda Haq while hearing a writ petition filed by the producers of the movie against the ban imposed on its screening by the Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir governments (Vital Media v. State of Punjab & Ors., W.P(C)No. 205/2013)..The counsel for the petitioners submitted that the movie had no scenes likely to cause communal disturbances or hurt religious sentiments and the protest was largely against a promotional song which is not part of the movie..A three judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justices Anil R. Dave and Vikramajit Sen after hearing the arguments stated that:.“We feel that, before passing any order, either of a final or interim nature, we should get some feedback from a group of individuals on their views on the film. They are requested to view the film for which arrangements should be made by the Registry tomorrow morning, i.e., 26th April, 2013, so that the Court can get a feedback by the afternoon. We have, accordingly, requested Mr. Fali S. Nariman and Dr. Rajiv Dhavan, learned senior counsel, to attend the special screening of the cinema in the morning tomorrow between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. Along with them, we also request Ms. Indira Jaising and, if possible, Ms. Rebecca John, both senior counsel, to be present at the viewing, in the capacity of Amicus Curiae”..The movie is based on events subsequent to the anti sikh riots of 1984. The movie was cleared by the censor board albeit with directions to cut out a few scenes. The matter shall now be heard tomorrow at 3:45 pm by the same Bench for passing orders.