Bombay High Court issues notice to regulate content of web shows

Bombay High Court issued notices to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting which seeks to regulate the content of web-series or other programs which are broadcast directly through the internet. A division bench of Justices Bhushan Dharmadhikari and M G  Biradkar issued these notices to the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Home Affairs, I & B Ministry and also the Nagpur police commissioner.

The petition demanded that the I & B Ministry should set up a pre-screening committee for web-based shows, films or other programs which are released directly on online platforms. Advocate Shyam Dewani, who is the petitioner’s lawyer, told HT, “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.”

This has come to light after some web series were picked on for promoting nude scenes and vulgarity and therefore, this petition was issued for the ministry to keep a tab on the content used while broadcasting shows on various OTT platforms.

Besides, the division bench is seeking for the replies by October 31. According to a report mentioned in Hindustan Times, Divya Ganeshprasad Gontia had filed the public interest litigation (PIL) in Bombay High Court. Legally, broadcasting nudity or vulgar scenes is a cognisable offence under Indian Penal Code, Cinematograph Act, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.