SC to hear petition on screening of "Jodhaa Akbar" in detail today

New Delhi, Mar 14 : The Supreme Court will today hear in detail a petition, filed by producer of "Jodhaa Akbar", seeking a ban on its screening by various State Governments following violent protests against it in certain parts of the country. n March 4, a bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.V. Raveendran and J.M. Panchal, had passed an interim order to lift the ban on the screening of the movie and granted the relief till today.

Earlier, UTV Software Communication Ltd., the producer of "Jodhaa Akbar", had moved the apex court for lifting the ban imposed on the film's screening by the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttaranchal and alleged that the film has been banned for political reasons and without giving any reasoning.

UTV's petition had complained that the censor board cleared the film for public viewing after ascertaining that it was not against the sovereignty or integrity of India, security of the country, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality.

ANI