Lifting of 'Padmaavat' ban: Supreme Court refuses to modify earlier order

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to modify its earlier order on the stay on the ban on the film "Padmaavat".

The top court also directed the states to "ensure that law and order prevails."

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said people must understand that orders of the top court have to be "abided with".

"People must understand that the Supreme Court has passed an order. They must abide by it. It is the obligation of the states to maintain law and order," the bench, which also comprised of Justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, said.

"We are not inclined to modify our order," the bench said while dismissing the plea.

It asked the states to follow its order and gave them the liberty to approach it again "if the situation arises".

"What is implicit in your argument is that you are incapable of maintaining law and order in your state," Supreme Court judge A.M Khanwilkar told lawyers for the state governments at the hearing. 

"You first implement our order and then if there is any violence then we can examine it on case to case basis."

The Rajasthan and the Madhya Pradesh governments had yesterday moved the top court seeking a modification of its order.

The two states don't want the film to be released.

Earlier this month, the top court had stayed the ban on the screening of "Padmaavat".

The court had also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film.

The court had said that a state cannot ban a movie on the expectation that it will lead to law and order troubles and that it was the states' job to ensure peace.

The movie's producers -- Bhansali Productions and Viacom18 Motion Pictures -- had approached the Supreme Court after four states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat, had banned the release. 

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film, which co-stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, is up for release on January 25.

Meanwhile in another developmentt, the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COAEI) today wrote to the Home ministry and sought sufficient security outside theaters showing "Padmaavat". The association has also advised theaters that they should show the film after ensuring proper security.

The movie has received the clearance of the Central Board of Film Certification after some modifications including changing the title's name from "Padmavati" to "Padmaavat".

The Rajput Karni Sena and several BJP leaders have opposed the film on the grounds that it violates Rajput sentiments, a claim that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly denied.

(With inputs from agencies)