Swamy seeks ti implead himself in Da Vinci case

Chennai, Jun 27 (UNI) Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy today moved the Madras High Court with an impleading petition, stating that the Tamil Nadu government order suspending the screening of the controversial film 'The Da Vinci Code' was politically motivated.

In his petition, Dr Swamy sought permission to implead himself in the case filed by Sony Pictures and Anuroshini films, challenging the suspension of screening of the film.

He said once the Central Board of Film Certification cleared the film, the state government or the commissioner of police had no jurisdiction to stop its screening. The ban was in violation of Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution. The suspension order had been passed to please certain groups of people whom politicians in government at present thought were potential voters, he added.

Expressing concern over repeated violation of right to freedom of expression, he said it happened despite repeated orders from the Supreme Court. People in the state were being threatened not to express their opinion and being intimidated by the state and the political parties, he added.

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