Relief for producers of ‘Mirzapur’ as Allahabad High Court grants protection from coercive action

The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted protection from coercive action to the makers of the web series ‘Mirzapur’ in relation to a case registered against them for hurting religious, social and regional sentiments through their portrayal of the town of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

A Bench of Justices Subhash Chand and Manoj Kumar Gupta noted that there is prima facie force in the contention of the petitioners, Ritesh Sidhwani and others, that the offences alleged in the First Information Report (FIR) are not made out, Bar & Bench reported

"Having considered the rival submissions, we prima-facie find force in the contentions of learned counsel for the petitioners. We are also of the opinion that the matter requires further consideration. Having regard to the facts of the case and the submissions made, till the next date of listing or till submission of police report under Section 173(2) CrPC, whichever is earlier, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioners in pursuance of the FIR," the Court said.

Sidhwani, the co-founder of Excel Entertainment which produced Mirzapur, had approached the High Court after an FIR was registered against him for offences under Sections 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke

breach of the peace) and 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief) of Indian Penal Code.

The allegation in the FIR was that the web series portrayed the town of Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh in an ‘indecent and improper manner’.