The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday (September 9) directed a petitioner to implead the producer and director of the upcoming film Jolly LLB 3 in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the depiction of lawyers and the judiciary in its song “Bhai Vakeel Hai”.
The film, starring actors Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, is scheduled for release on September 19.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf passed the order, stating:
“Learned counsel for the petitioner prays for an adjournment to implead the producer and director, who will be necessary parties to the petition. At request, list on Friday (September 12).”
During the hearing, counsel for the State submitted that the Allahabad High Court had already dismissed a similar plea against the same song. That court had also rejected a prayer seeking a stay on the film’s release, ruling that the allegations of defaming the judiciary and the legal profession were unfounded.
The MP High Court noted that the petitioner, who is an advocate, had failed to name the producer and director as respondents in the case. The bench orally observed:
“Where are the producer and director? They are the necessary parties; in their absence, how can this petition be disposed of? How will this be entertained in the absence of the necessary parties? Implead them as parties, then we will consider this.”
The petition argues that the song portrays actors, in the role of advocates, dancing while wearing the ‘neck band’—a symbol of dignity and solemn duty in the legal profession. This, the petitioner contends, trivializes and ridicules the legal fraternity. The plea further states that such portrayal is disrespectful and violates the principles under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
Additionally, the petition claims that the song contains “objectionable, obscene, and derogatory lyrics” that not only hurt the sentiments of lawyers and the public but also “promote vulgarity and negatively influence youth.”
The matter will now be heard on September 12.
