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SC to hear petitions challenging ban on BBC documentary next Monday

The plea seeks to examine the series and initiate action against those responsible
SC to hear petitions challenging ban on BBC documentary next Monday
SC to hear petitions challenging ban on BBC documentary next Monday

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS The Supreme Court will hear the pleas challenging the Centre's decision to block a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots next week. The PIL alleges that the decision to ban the documentary was "malafide, arbitrary and unconstitutional."

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala took note of the submissions seeking urgent listing of their separate PILs on the issue. "It will be listed on Monday," the CJI said.

The petition by advocate M.L. Sharma also seeks to call and examine the documentary and initiate action against those responsible and involved directly and indirectly with the 2002 Gujarat riots. The lawyer argued that people were being arrested.

"Whether without having an Emergency declared under Article 352 of the Constitution of India by the President, Emergency provisions can be invoked by the Central Government?" the PIL said.’ Sharma added in his petition that the BBC documentary has "recorded facts" which are also "evidence" and can be used to further the cause of justice for the victims.

Senior advocate C U Singh mentioned a separate plea on the issue filed by veteran journalist N Ram and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan. He alleged that tweets by Ram and Bhushan were deleted allegedly by using emergency powers. He also said that students in Ajmer were rusticated for streaming the BBC documentary.

The petitions come as the Centre issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary "India: The Modi Question" on January 21.

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