Rajasthan High Court: Notice Issued On Asaram Bapu’s Petition Seeking Ban On Movie ‘Sirf Ek Banda Kafi Hai’

Rajasthan High Court in the case Om Prakash Lakhiyani & Anr Vs. Union of India observed and has issued a notice wherein the petition is moved for seeking a ban on the movie ‘Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai’ in theaters as well as on OTT platforms. Thherefore,, the court in the case issued the notice on the application moved seeking interim stay on the movie’s release during the pendency of the petition.

In the said case, the petition was moved by one Asaram Bapu, who is currently in jail in a rape case, and Om Prakash Lakhani, who being the trustee of Sant Shri Asaram Ji Ashram Charitable Trust. Thus, has been alleged in the plea moved that the movie has been made on the life of Asaram Bapu without his permission and depicts him in the negative character. The bench headed by Justice Pusphendra Singh Bhati stated in an order dated May 19, 2023 that the notice is to be issued on the stay application also and the rule is being made returnable on May 23, 2023.

In the present case, Actor Manoj Vajpayee is playing the lead role in the film and the film is directed by Apoorv Singh Karki and produced by Zee5 Studio and others.
The petitioner in the plea stated that the Asaram’s reputation and privacy rights have been violated by the film, wherein it allegedly portrayed him as a villainous character named “Ravana” who has committed heinous crimes.

The court in the case stated that same has volcanic effect on the sentiments of lakhs of devotees and followers of Sant, Further, the petitioner in the plea stated that the picture has been architected and produced by picking on a singular criminal case which is being fought by an ordinary lawyer from Jodhpur.

It has also been alleged in the said plea that the very object of this film is to directly defame and damage the character and reputation of Petitioner No. 2 and to hit the sentiments of his devotees and the lakhs of followers, who in the case hold so much of respect, with regards and the spiritual faith in his character, and in order to indirectly damage to the Hindu religion at the world platform. The counsel, Advocate SP Sharma a/w Vipul Singhvi, Advocate Retha Ramdohia, Advocate Lalit Koshire Sen And Advocate Yashpal Singh appeared for the petitioners.