A petition has been filed in Delhi High Court, which if accepted, can spell doom for fans of Sacred Games, Maniac and other web shows.
If the arguments of this petition are accepted, then Delhi High Court may actually ban Netflix and Amazon in India.
What is the fuss all about?
Petition To Ban Vulgar Content, And Netflix, Amazon
An NGO called Justice for Rights Foundation has filed a PIL in Delhi High Court against vulgar content shown via on-demand entertainment apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others.
As per the petition filed, the content on these apps are ‘inappropriate, sexually explicit, religiously forbidden and legally restricted.’
As per their advocate Harpreet Singh Hora, shows like Sacred games, Game of Thrones, Spartacus needs to be pulled out from India, immediately.
The request to ban such shows was originally made to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in August, 2018. In their reply, the Ministry asked the ‘intermediary’ to exercise their rights under Section 79 of IPC.
Will Netflix, Amazon Prime Be Banned?
In the petition, the main issue is showing illegal, and morally inept content on these on-demand web shows.
However, the petitioners have stated that till the time these shows are banned, the High Court can pass an order, and ban Amazon Prime, Netflix from showing their content in India.
The petition clearly states that the Netflix, Amazon Prime and other such apps breaks several laws: Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act 2000, The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 and more.
As per the plea: “As an interim relief, the petition also seeks a ban on Netflix, Amazon and other online platforms till the regulations are framed. Next date of Hearing is on November 14.”
You can read the full petition here.
What Will Happen Now?
A similar PIL was filed by advocate Divya Gontia in Bombay High Court, against AltBalaji for broadcasting their show ‘Gandi baat’ and against Netflix for ‘Sacred Games’.
In their response, the Bombay High Court issued a notice to Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and asked them to respond.
This petition was filed at the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, and had argued that these shows contain “obscene, nude and vulgar scenes” which are cognizable offences under the Cinematograph Act, Indian Penal Code, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act and Information Technology Act.
Now, both of these PILs can be expected to be combined, and a bench will hear these cases on November 14th.
In case the arguments are accepted, then Netflix and Amazon Prime, along with Alt Balaji and other on-demand entertainment apps can face a possible ban as well.
We will keep you updated, as more details come in.