The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking a stay on the release of movie ‘PM Narendra Modi’, a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that it is for the Election Commission (EC) to decide whether the release of the movie on the date of elections can tilt the balance in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as alleged by the opposition Congress.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said the plea is “premature” as the movie was yet to be certified by the Censor Board.
A bench also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said, “we, therefore, do not consider it fit to entertain the petition.”
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Congress spokesperson Aman Pawar had argued that the film violates the Model Code of Conduct and that most of the people associated with the movie were linked to the BJP
“EC to take a call on whether the release of the movie and its screening on the date of elections can tilt the balance in favour of the BJP or can disturb the level-playing field,” said the bench.
The film is scheduled to release on April 11, the first day of voting for the Lok Sabha elections.
Actor Vivek Oberoi, who plays PM Modi in the movie, tweeted after the court order:
“With all your blessings, support and love, today we have won in the Honorable Supreme Court! A humble thank you to all of you and to the Indian juidiciary for upholding our faith in democracy! Thursday 11th April. Jai Hind,” Vivek tweeted.
