Ranveer Singh's upcoming film Jayeshbhai Jordaar had landed in legal trouble for showcasing the illegal sex determination of a foetus. Directed by Divyang Thakkar, the film promotes the 'Save Girl Child' slogan. Now, just a few days before its release, the Delhi High Court gave Jayeshbhai Jordaar a clean chit. However, the court allowed its release on the condition that the makers have to add disclaimers for showing the use of ultrasound technology for gender determination in certain scenes.
On Tuesday, the bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla was hearing public interest litigation (PIL) by an NGO 'Youth Against Crime' filed through Advocate Pawan Prakash Pathak. The petitioner, in the plea, claimed, "The ultrasound clinic scene where the technology of ultrasound for sex determination is being advertised openly without censor and as per section 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 6 and 22 of the PC and PNDT Act, same is not allowed and hence the instant PIL."
The court, post a detailed hearing on the issue, said, "We appreciate the message but you have to tell people that it is an offence." The bench further added, "The learned senior counsel, without prejudice to his submissions, has agreed to depict a further static warning or disclaimer during the running of both the scenes... The senior counsel submits that a similar warning or disclaimer will be depicted on all formats in the trailer and on YouTube...Respondent-4 (producer) is bound by the statements made by the senior counsel on its behalf." The makers will have to add the new disclaimers twice in Jayeshbhai Jordaar.
On Monday, during the hearing, the court told, "There is nothing to show in the trailer that the lady is taken to the doctor clandestinely.. What is coming out is, any pregnant woman can be routinely taken to the clinic centre with sonography machine and this can be done without any fetters." The bench stated, "Unless we see for ourselves and are satisfied, we are not going to permit this. You seek instructions or otherwise, we will have to stay this."
Jayeshbhai Jordaar, produced by Maneesh Sharma and YRF, also stars Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah and Shalini Pandey. The film will release in theatres on May 13.
(Source: Inputs from IANS)
