Prakash Jha v Union of India Explained | Aarakshan and State Bans on Films

Case 22 of 30 in Law Easy's Media Law series. Prakash Jha Productions v. Union of India, Supreme Court of India, decided 2011. FACTS The film Aarakshan was certified by the board. Around its 2011 release, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh suspended its screening, fearing trouble. Punjab and Andhra Pradesh withdrew their orders once the producers went to court, but Uttar Pradesh defended its order, relying on a committee that had suggested cuts. WHAT THE COURT HELD In August 2011 a bench led by Justice Mukundakam Sharma quashed the Uttar Pradesh order. The state committee had tried to sit over the board's decision and demand cuts, a pre-censorship power the state does not have. Once the board has cleared a film, the state cannot prohibit its screening on the ground of a possible law-and-order problem; maintaining law and order is the state's duty. EXAM POINT Film certification belongs to the body given that role by law, and a state cannot create its own second censorship system. PREVIOUS CASE: S. Rangarajan v. P. Jagjivan Ram - https://youtu.be/YG1FOW33HZA NEXT CASE: Phantom Films v. Central Board of Film Certification - https://youtu.be/NH0A8QiBO6M FULL PLAYLIST (all 30 cases in order): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY-t71WbMh6k COMPLETE LECTURE (all 30 cases, 1 hour 52 minutes): https://youtu.be/8AFvktrLPM4 Made for LL.B. students and for CLAT PG, UGC NET Law and judiciary exam preparation. Subscribe to Law Easy for the full law course. Notes: https://www.thelaweasy.com #MediaLaw #FilmLaw #LawEasy