New Delhi: The Supreme Court came down heavily Friday on producer Ekta Kapoor over ‘objectionable content’ in her web series XXX. It said Ekta Kapoor was polluting the minds of the young generation of India. The top court was hearing a plea filed by Ekta Kapoor challenging the arrest warrants issued against her for allegedly insulting soldiers and hurting the sentiments of their families in the web series aired on her OTT platform ‘ALTBalaji’.
“Something has to be done. You are polluting the minds of the young generation of this country. It is available to all. OTT (Over the Top) content is available to all. What kind of choice are you providing to the people?…. On the contrary you are polluting the minds of youngsters,” a bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar said.
The apex court made the observation after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Kapoor, submitted that a petition has been filed before the Patna High Court but there is no hope the matter will be listed for hearing soon. He said the top court had earlier granted protection to Kapoor in a similar matter. Rohatgi said the content is subscription based and that there is freedom of choice in this country.
The Supreme Court, which stopped short of imposing costs, then wondered what kind of choice is being given to people.
“Every time you travel to this court….We don’t appreciate this. We will put a cost on you for filing such a petition. Mr Rohatgi please convey this to your client. Just because you can afford and hire the services of good lawyers….This court is not for those who have voices,” the bench said.
“This court works for those who don’t have voices…If these people who have all kinds of facilities, if they cannot get justice then think of the situation of this common man. We have seen the order and we have our reservations,” the bench observed.
The top court kept the matter pending. It suggested that a local lawyer may be put to work to know about the status of hearing in the high court.
A trial court in Bihar’s Begusarai had issued the warrant on a complaint lodged by Shambhu Kumar, an ex-serviceman. Kumar, in his complaint of 2020, alleged series XXX (Season-2) featured several objectionable scenes related to a soldier’s wife.
