The Delhi High Court (HC) on Wednesday directed the Union government and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine allegations that the Ranveer Singh-starrer blockbuster film, ‘Dhurandhar 2; The Revenge’ may have revealed sensitive operational details adopted by the Indian Armed Forces.
The matter was listed before a division bench of the Delhi HC headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, when Deepak Kumar, a Head Constable attached to the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in this regard.
Justices who heard the matter
What did the petitoner allege?
The petitioner, Kumar, alleged that the Dhurandhar franchise raised the curtain on operational strategies, sensitive locations and details allegedly linked to India’s defence establishment, raising concerns over the security and integrity of the nation.
“Concerns cannot be ignored,” says Bench
During the hearing, the bench hearing the matter noted that although the film may be fictional and intended for entertainment, the concerns raised by a security personnel serving the nation deserved serious consideration. The bench remarked, “Even if the movie is a work of fiction and is made for entertainment purposes, its impact cannot be denied.”
A still from Dhurandhar 2
The court then directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the CBFC to treat the writ petition as a formal representation and take an informed decision regarding the issues highlighted. It said, “The censor board should have some guidelines. We will only direct you to consider his representation and take an informed decision.”
Army tactics, DRDO details allegedly revealed in the film
The petition mentioned that certain scenes in the film allegedly depict military operations, locations and characters closely resembling senior officials and the servicemen who laid their lives for the nation with striking specificity. The petitioner contended that such portrayal could compromise the country’s national interests and may amount to a violation of provisions under the Official Secrets Act.
Ranveer Singh in another still from Dhurandhar 2
Furthermore, it was alleged in the plea that the film also disclosed information related to drugs and defence-related research being conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Towards the conclusion of the hearing, the Delhi HC directed the Centre and the CBFC to appropriately consider and address the concerns raised in the petition, and disposed of the plea later.