Director Leena Manimekalai summoned for plea seeking injunction of 'Kaali' movie poster

Director Leena Manimekalai summoned for plea seeking injunction of 'Kaali' movie poster.

Director Leena Manimekalai is summoned by a Delhi Court in relation to her portrayal of the Hindu goddess Kali smoking cigarette in her new documentary. The suit is filed seeking a permanent injunction to restrain her from "depicting goddess Kaali in the way they have depicted in the poster and video and the tweet in question."

It is stated by the Plaintiff that the film poster depicts Hindu goddess Kali smoking a cigarette which hurts the religious sentiments of common Hindus and is against humanity and decency.

The poster has been posted by the filmmaker from her Twitter handle, as stated by the Plaintiff.

The Single judge bench of Judge Abhishek Kumar of Tis Hazari Courts issued summons to the filmmaker and her company namely Touring Talkies Media Private Limited and notice of injunction in an application under Order 39 Rule 1 and 2 of Code of Civil Procedure.

While issuing summons in the suit, the Court ordered thus:

"The relief of interim injunction is discretionary relief. Further, as held by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in a number of cases the ex-parte ad-interim injunction has to be granted in exceptional circumstances and the undersigned is of the opinion that the defendant needs to be heard before passing any order against them. Therefore, issue summons of the suit and notice of the injunction application under Order 39 Rule 1 & 2 CPC to the defendants on the filing of PF/RC for 06.08.2022."

The matter is scheduled for hearing on 6 August.