'The Da Vinci Code': State can't ban film, feel distributors

Chennai, Jun 28 (UNI) Counsel for distributors of the movie 'The Da Vinci Code' today said the state government could not pass an order suspending exhibition of the film once the Central Board of Film Certification certified it for public exhibition under the Cinematography Act.

When the case against the order banning the film came up for hearing at Madras High Court here, Senior Counsel A L Somiyaji, representing Sony Pictures and Anuroshni Films, said the state could not pass the order saying it could affect public peace and tranquility.

Mr Somiyaji submitted before Ms Justice Prabha Sridevan that the government could not take away the fundamental right of freedom of expression of the petitioner, guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution, by passing an executive order based on conjecture and surmise.

The reasons in the order were arbitrary. Once the Censor Board certified the film after giving due consideration to public order, it was not open to the state to pass the impugned order.

If permitted, it would amount to the state sitting in judgement over an expert body, he contended.

The distributors challenged the Commissioner of Police's order dated June one, 2006 suspending screening the film in Tamil Nadu for two months.

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