Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 30: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the plea filed against Centre’s decision to ban the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, named ‘India: The Modi Question’, the documentary is based on the 2002 Gujarat riots.
As per sources, advocate M L Sharma has filed the petition for an early hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justice P S Narasimha and Justice J B Pardiwala.
The bench took note of the submissions by advocate Sharma and senior advocate C U Singh looking for urgent listing of their separate PILs on the same issue.
“It will be listed on Monday,” the CJI said. The CJI has also agreed to list the case on February 6.
Sharma challenged the government’s decision to ban BBC’s documentary alleging that the ban was deceitful, unnecessary and unconstitutional.
The PIL also insisted the zenith court to call and inspect both parts of the BBC documentary. The PIL further sought action against persons who were responsible and concerned directly or indirectly with the 2002 Gujarat riots.
A separate petition filed by senior journalist N Ram and advocate Prashant Bhushan on taking down tweets related to the BBC documentary will also be heard on Monday.
The British Broadcasting Corporation’s documentary, “India: The Modi Question” has raised a storm not just in India but in many parts of UK and USA.
On January 21, the Centre issued instructions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’.
Notably, the Indian government has banned it from being shown in the country due to its sensitive nature. The documentary questions Narendra Modi’s handling of the riots, who was then the chief minister in Gujarat.
The documentary has also been taken off of YouTube for its divisive content.
