Supreme Court refuses to grant interim protection to 'Tandav' makers

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 27) refused to grant interim protection from arrest to the makers of the web series Tandav. Several FIRs have been filed against the makers on charges of hurting “religious sentiments.”

The apex court asked the makers to approach the high court for anticipatory bail and quashing of the several FIRs filed against them.

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah heard three separate petitions of filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar, Amazon Prime India head Aparna Purohit, producer Himanshu Mehra, writer Gaurav Solanki, and actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub.

“We cannot use the power under Section 482 CrPC. We are not inclined to grant interim protection,” the Bench was quoted as saying by Live Law.

Also read: Saif’s web series ‘Tandav’ rakes up a storm as BJP leaders call it ‘anti-Hindu’

The court also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka governments seeking their response on pleas for quashing FIRs against the makers.

Three cases have been filed against the makers of ‘Tandav’ for allegedly depicting UP policemen and deities inappropriately and for the negative portrayal of a character playing the Prime Minister.

The cast of the show has tendered an unconditional apology. The makers then said they will remove the objectionable scenes from the web series.

‘Tandav’, a political thriller, stars Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub. The web series started streaming earlier this month on Amazon Prime.