Delhi High Court Asks CBFC, Centre To Decide Plea Alleging 'Dhurandhar' Reveals Sensitive Military Information

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to decide a plea claiming that “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” movie scenes have potential of revealing information related to the armed forces which is not in the interest of security of the nation, even though it is claimed as a work of fiction.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that the concerns raised need to be considered and addressed by the concerned authorities appropriately.

The Court was hearing a plea filed by Deepak Kumar, posted in the national capital with SSB as Head Constable (Communications).

Appearing in person, Kumar said that the movie has not been made in compliance of the Official Secrets Act and that various scenes reveal the tactical process of the armed forces.

He said that the scenes portray how the undercover agents of India survive in foreign nations and that even certain locations and details of successful undercover operations have been revealed and disclosed, which causes threat to country's security and integrity.

The counsel appearing for the Union Government said that the parents of late Mohit Sharma had filed a plea before the Court alleging that the movie was inspired from their son's life.

However, Kumar said that his concerns were different and that the CBFC does not consult the intelligence officers which giving nod to a film of such nature.

On this, the Court remarked that the concerns raised by Kumar cannot be said to be bereft of any material.

“The movie is a work of fiction, made for entertainment purposes but the impact of movie cannot deny that. Whether the concerns taken into consideration…. Suppose a movie is made where there is a character who commits suicide and someone in same position before committing suicide searches for the process…. Whether it can be permitted? Even if it is fiction. He says that tactics of army or the force for meeting challenges and secrets are revealed, even if the movie maybe fictional. This needs to be addressed. There should be some guidelines of the censor board. We will direct you to consider his representation and take an informed decision.”

The Court disposed of the plea with directions to competent authorities in the MIB and CBFC to consider Kumar's petition as a representation and take a decision on the issues raised therein.

The Court said that decision and corrective measures taken, if any, shall also be communicated to Kumar.

Title: Deepak Kumar v. Union of India & Ors