Web Series: Bombay HC issues notices to I&B Ministry to set up pre-screening committee

Now web series would not be released without conducting its pre-screening, the Bombay High Court on Friday issued notices to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting over a plea seeking regulation of the web series content or another program which aires directly through the internet.

The division bench comprises Justices Bhushan Dharmadhikari and M G Biradkar issued notices to I&B Ministry, Union of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Home Affairs and also the Nagpur police commissioner, and given time to reply before October 31.

The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by Divya Ganeshprasad. The petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Shyam Dewani said, “We cited before the court various examples of uncontrolled vulgarity, obscenity in such shows and sought a direction to concerned authorities to take appropriate action against all such web service providers.”

He further elaborated saying, “Broadcasting nudity or vulgar scenes is a cognisable offence under IPC, Cinematograph Act, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.”

The petition demands, I&B Ministry should set up a pre-screening committee for web shows, films or other programs which are released directly on online platforms.

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