Punjab and Haryana HC to watch 'MSG' before considering stay application

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing on a petition seeking a stay on the screening of the controversial movie 'Messenger of God' starring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim till March 3 and said it would take a decision only after watching the movie.

The petition that has been filed by Mohali-based Sikh body Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha is being heard by a division bench of Justices S.K. Mittal and Deepak Sibal.

"Today, we produced the order of tribunal in the High Court. After considering it, the court issued a notice of motion to all the respondents which includes Baba Ram Rahim, Censor Board, Appellate Tribunal, UT Chandigarh, Union of India and Haryana Government. The court wants to watch the movie, after watching the movie they will come to the conclusion whether there is any objectionable thing in the movie or not," said Naveen Saini, the lawyer representing the petitioner.

"The court wants to see the situation of the society, the court wants to consider whether peace and tranquility of the society will be disturbed or not. If the court feels that the movie is hurting the sentiments of the people and it is going to disturb peace in the society then the court will consider our stay application on March 3," he added.

Earlier, the Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha had sought a ban on the movie claiming that the film's screening would pose a serious threat to the law and order situation in Punjab and Haryana.

The movie is all set for release on February 13.