The Allahabad High Court stayed the arrest orders of \u201cMirzapur Series\u201d producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apart from this, the division bench issued notice to the state government and the complainant in order to seek their reply in the ongoing matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The case initiated at the instance of an FIR filed by a local journalist, Arvind Chaturvedi. The case was registered under Sections 295-A, 504, 505 and 34 of Indian Penal Code, and Section 67A of Information Technology Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The allegations were raised against the content depicted in the Mirzapur Series; it was alleged to be anti-social and loaded with offensive scenes. As per the complainant, it promoted illicit relationships, barbaric language, casteism, and an unrealistic\/polluted image of Judicial System.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The complainant further stated that the web series tried to portray a false image of Mirzapur town and the content therein had hurt the sentiments of the residents of Mirzapur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The petitioners (the producers\u2019) putforth their submissions and stated that the web series is purely a work of fiction and the same has been reinstated in the disclaimer before each episode. They also submitted that after the success of first season in the year 2018, the second season was made and released in the October, 2020. They further stated that the FIR was filed after almost three months of release of second season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They defended their web series on grounds of their right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), and their right to trade and profession under Article 19(1)(g).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their prayer included quashing of FIR filed at Mirzapur district, stay on the proceedings initiated, and that the producers\u2019 should not be harassed or arrested at any point of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n