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Madras HC: Fictional Portrayal of Judges Not Contempt
29 May
Summary
- Madras High Court dismissed a plea seeking a ban on the film 'Karuppu'.
- The court acknowledged that corrupt judges exist within the judiciary.
- Portraying fictional corruption in films does not equate to contempt.
The Madras High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation that aimed to ban the film 'Karuppu', starring Suriya and RJ Balaji. The petition claimed the movie disrespected the judiciary. A bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan presided over the hearing.
The court acknowledged that corruption is a reality within the judiciary, noting that corrupt judges have existed and continue to exist. They emphasized that the film presented a fictional story about a corrupt judge and an unethical lawyer, and should be viewed as a creative work rather than a direct attack on the institution.
Judges further explained that Tamil cinema often employs exaggerated storytelling. They stated that depicting fictional courtroom corruption does not violate the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The film criticizes fictional characters, not the judiciary as a whole. With the plea dismissed, 'Karuppu' is expected to proceed with its theatrical run unimpeded.
