While hearing the protection plea, Supreme Court came down heavily on the renowned TV and film producer Ekta Kapoor for “polluting minds of the young generation” through Alt Balaji’s web series XXX.
Indian television producer, film producer and director Ekta Kapoor has moved Supreme Court to challenge the arrest warrants issued against her over the web series on the OTT platform Alt Balaji.
The top court also warned her not to file any more petitions before the Supreme Court and will levy a cost if she will keep coming up with such petitions.
A trial court in Begusarai, Bihar had issued an arrest warrant on the names of Ekta Kapoor and her mother Shobha Kapoor for allegedly insulting soldiers and hurting the sentiments of their families. The arrest warrants were issued over the complaint filed by an ex-serviceman Shambhu Kumar who alleged that the second season of the series featured several objectionable scenes related to a soldier’s wife.
The bench comprising Justice Ajay Rastogi and Justice CT Ravikumar stated, “OTT content is available to all,” the court said. “What kind of choice are you providing to the people?”
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Ekta Kapoor and sought protection. He argued that content available on OTT platforms is available to users based on subscription and that there is freedom of choice in this country.
To which the bench remarked what kind of choice is being given to the audience. “Everytime you travel to this court….we don’t appreciate this,” the bench added. “We will put a cost on you for filing such a petition. Mr Rohatgi please convey this to your client. Just because you can afford and hire the services of good lawyers….this court is not for those who have voices,” the bench said.
Advocate Rohatgi submitted that they have also filed a petition before Patna High Court but don’t have a hope that the matter will be listed soon.
Besides a complaint in Begusarai, two more FIRs are filed against Ekta Kapoor in Indore and Muzaffarnagar.
