An FIR was registered against filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar in Mumbai on Wednesday for allegedly showing obscene scenes involving minor children in his Marathi film, Nay Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha.
The case has been filed based on a complaint by one Seema Deshpande of Bharatiya Stree Shakti organisation. Apart from Manjrekar, the complaint also names the film’s producers Narendra Hirawat and Shreyans Hirawat, as well as NH Studioz, as defendants.
Following an order from the sessions court to file an FIR and begin investigation, Mumbai police registered the case under IPC sections 292 (distribution of obscene content), 34 (common intention), section 14 of POCSO (Protection of Child From Sexual Offense) Act, and sections 67, 67B of the IT Act.
Speaking about the case, Deshpande’s lawyer, advocate Prakash Salsingikar, told Silverscreen India, “Basically, this is an adult film but the minor children who play the lead role in the film have been shown performing multiple sexual acts with adults. This falls under sections 13 and 14 of the POCSO Act. These sections state that earning money from, circulating, or possessing, instances of child pornography is a criminal offence. Initially, we complained to Mahim police station and then the concerned DCP, but no actions were taken. So, we approached the court. On February 18, the court directed that an investigation be started on this matter, and finally, on Wednesday, the Mahim police station filed the FIR.”
No arrests have been made thus far, but the investigation is underway.
Previously, a complaint was filed before the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate Court by the Kshatriya Maratha Seva Sanstha, citing that the film portrays women and children in an objectionable manner and seeking action against Manjrekar and the producers under IPC sections 292 (distribution of obscene content), 295 (punishment for obscene acts or words in public), and 34 (common intention), and the Indecent Representation of the Women Prohibition Act.
Recommended
Manjrekar had told News18 at the time that the film was duly examined by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and certified ‘A’. “We agreed to it as we were aware that our film is for an adult audience. So I haven’t decided which audience can watch it. I think the legal system will do the needful, so let them decide whether they find anything objectionable,” he had said.