HC seeks Centre’s response to Sharjeel Imam’s plea against film on 2020 Delhi riots
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought responses from the Union government and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on a petition filed by activist Sharjeel Imam, who has requested a postponement of the release of a film based on the 2020 Delhi riots.
Imam contends that the film’s release could unfairly influence ongoing legal proceedings related to the case, PTI reported.
The court also issued notices to the Delhi Police and the filmmakers of 2020 Delhi, which is scheduled for release on Saturday. The movie, centered on the riots and protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), features a character resembling Imam, who is currently in jail and facing conspiracy charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the violence.
Imam's plea argues that the film may prejudice judicial proceedings, affecting not only his trial but also other pending bail applications and cases linked to the riots. According to Bar and Bench, he asserted that a film portraying a distorted and fabricated narrative as “based on true events” could unfairly depict him as a “terrorist” or “traitor,” potentially impacting legal proceedings that have yet to begin.
The petition further contends that preemptively labeling individuals as “terrorists” without a court ruling could introduce judicial bias and violate constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 21, which guarantee equality and personal liberty.
The riots, which erupted in North East Delhi in February 2020, resulted in 53 deaths and hundreds of injuries, with a majority of the victims being Muslims. The violence broke out amid clashes between CAA supporters and opponents. The Delhi Police have alleged that the unrest was part of a larger conspiracy to malign the Narendra Modi-led government and was orchestrated by anti-CAA protest organisers.
Adding to the controversy, ThePrint reported that Devendra Maalviya, the film’s scriptwriter and director, also serves as an advisor to the CBFC. This connection has raised further concerns regarding the film’s potential bias and its impact on the judicial process.