The Delhi High Court has dismissed several petitions seeking to halt the release of the film “2020 Delhi,” which is based on the northeast Delhi riots of February 2020. Justice Sachin Datta ruled that it was “premature” to consider the objections against the film as it is still awaiting certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The court’s decision, announced on Friday and published on Saturday, comes in response to challenges raised by petitioners, including student activist Sharjeel Imam, who is also a defendant in a case related to the 2020 riots. The petitioners argued that the film’s trailer portrays a distorted version of the events that occurred during the riots, which resulted in the deaths of at least 53 people and injuries to many others.
Justice Datta noted that the film’s producers have committed to displaying an appropriate disclaimer at the beginning of the official trailer, clarifying the fictional nature of the content. The producers’ counsel also assured the court that the film would not be screened publicly until it has received the necessary certification from the CBFC.
The controversy surrounding the film stems from claims by Imam and others that the promotional materials, including posters and trailers, suggest a conspiratorial narrative behind the riots, potentially influencing public perception ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi scheduled for February 5.
