HC admits petition seeking to forbear release of film

The Madras High Court today admitted a petition seeking to forbear release of the movie "Thirumanam ennum nikkah".
Justice S Vydyanathan who admitted the petition filed by Tamil Nadu Shia Muslim Jamath (TNSMI) issued notice to the Central Board of Film Certification, Chennai, and V Ravichandran, producer of the film Aascar Films (P) Limited returnable by June 3.
In its petition TNSMI contended that the movie portrays Muslims, particularly the Shia Community, in a "highly demeaning manner" and has tendencies to incite religious sentiments and create communal tension in certain sensitive areas in the state.
TNSMI submitted that it is an offence under various sections of IPC, including section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) to engage in such a "deliberate and malicious acts" intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religious beliefs.

The petitioner said religious rituals are shown as a mockery in the film and these rituals were depicted violently showing Muslim leaders in a bad taste.
TNSMI said their leaders had approached the Commissioner of Police of Greater Chennai with their complaint on May 20 to take necessary action against the producer of film, but no action was taken and prayed to grant an order of Interim Injunction restraining releasing of the film.