The criminal case against actor Prithviraj Sukumaran for not properly displaying the statutory warning against liquor consumption in a movie scene has been quashed by the Kerala High Court. The HC observed that actors cannot be held responsible for movie scenes depicting alcohol consumption.
The Hindu reports that Justice B. Kemal Pasha, while allowing a petition filed by Mr. Prithviraj, said that the actor of a film, whether he had done the lead role or not, could not be brought within the purview of Section 55 I (1) of the Abkari Act. The court was considering a petition against a particular scene in which the statutory warning, 'consumption of alcohol is injurious to health', was not exhibited in the movie 'Seventh Day' where Prithviraj played a lead role.
The petition had alleged that the movie violated Section 55 (1) of the Abkari Act. As per the section whoever exhibits or causes to exhibit any cinema having a scene in contravention of the Section (1), in any theatre shall be punishable for the offence, but court observed that those terms in the act are vague.
Court also said that owner of the theater, distributor and producer can be an accused in the case.
The court said the owner of the movie theatre would definitely be an accused as the act says `who ever exhibits or causes to exhibit' as those responsible but the term in the act is vague.