The Talwars, who are in jail after a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court last year found them guilty of murdering their daughter, have won permission in the Bombay high court today for a pre-release screening of a movie allegedly based on their story.
Rajesh and Nupur Talwar's lawyer, Neha Mehta, filed a writ petition on 17 February against the censor board to stay its U/A certificate of the film Rahasya, effectively stopping its screening, while also impleading the movie's producer and director Manish Gupta.
Gupta is represented by advocate Atul G Damle, while additional solicitor general Kevic Setalvad is appearing for the Central Board of Film in the case WPL/520/2014.
Mehta told Legally India that she had approached the high court claiming that its release could prejudice the Talwars’ appeal against their conviction in the Allahabad high court, which is currently sub judice.
“Everybody has an impressionable mind, and the appeal is pending and matter is sub judice. Ours is a genuine concern - if at all it [the movie] has a bearing with my life story, it shows the father and mother as the killers, of course it will have a bearing in the lives of the people. The Aarushi murder case has already become a public trial, I dont want to further that thing.”
Although the censor board had sworn an affidavit that the movie was different from the facts of the Aarushi case, Mehta said she argued to give the Talwars family and herself an advance screening of the film, which counsel for the director eventually agreed to, with the proviso that Mehta would not be allowed to reveal the climax of the film.
“But prima facie it appears that the movie has many similarities with my case,” said Mehta, “and therefore we are pressing for a pre-release screening for the lawyer and the relatives. But of course we'll come to a conclucion [only] after watching the movie.”
Mehta said that this had been her first instruction for the Talwars, who had approached her for assistance in the case.
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You're working too hard, Kian! You appear to hardly have enough time to proof-read your articles. :)
Ms. Mehta's comment also is "we are pressing..."; that indicates that the matter is pending?! Kian please clarify! Can we have a copy of the order uploaded?
The number seems to be WPL/520/2014 on the HC website; but no orders appear to have been passed so far (at least, not uploaded)
A link to a TOI article in a comment below also confirms...
Indicates that in response to a suggestion by the Court, the respondent agreed to hold a screening and show the film to one relative. Appears there is no order of the HC. Pl can you confirm? If there is an order, it will serve as a useful precedent: if there isnt, this wont have any precedential value but will be essentially based on consent.
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