HC dismisses plea seeking ban on movie 'Ram-Leela'

The Delhi High Court Wednesday dismissed a PIL seeking a ban on the release of Bollywood movie "Ram-Leela", starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.

A division bench of Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Manmohan, refusing to entertain the plea, also imposed a fine of Rs.50,000 on NGO Rashtravadi Shiv Sena which filed the plea saying the title of the movie should be changed as it hurts the religious sentiments of people.

"Ram-Leela", which is scheduled to be released Nov 15, has been directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The plea filed by the NGO's president Jai Bhagwan Goyal said: "The title 'Ram-Leela' which is understood by Hindus as enactment of the life and story of Lord Ram (Maryada Purshottam), is nowhere doing the same but on the contrary the film is portraying sex, violence and vulgarity, which is deeply hurting the religious sentiments and feelings of Hindus."

"The enactment, production and scheduled release of the film "Ram-Leela" is a gross insult to the religious feelings of Hindus," the plea said, adding the objection is only in respect of naming such a film "Ram-Leela".