The Supreme Court will hear Maharashtra government’s appeal to stop releasing Kamal Khan’s controversial movie ‘Deshdrohi’ on Jan 23, in view of intelligence inputs that it may lead to law and order problem in the state.

The film ‘Deshdrohi’ is set to be released on Friday (Jan 23).

While mentioning the state government’s appeal before a Bench headed by Justice B N Agrawal, Solicitor General G E Vahanvati stated, “There is a clear intelligence report that the release of the film will create disturbances, violence, riots, protest etc on regional, linguistic and communal basis in Maharashtra.”

The Bench, also comprising Justice G S Singhvi, granted to give an urgent hearing to the appeal looking for ban on the film’s release.

Mr. Vahanvati also said that the Bombay High Court by its January 9 order gave permission to release the movie ignoring the intelligence report of the state government that the screening of the film may create large-scale violence law that may be difficult to control.

He added that a stay on the release of the film was essential as “Mumbai has been settling down from the recent terror attacks.”

Earlier, the government curbed the movie under Section 6 of the Bombay Cinema Regulation Act, 1963 for two months.

It may also be recalled that the Maharashtra government has banned the movie in the state on the recommendation of the Mumbai Police. The Mumbai Police feels that the film’s release could pose a law and order problem in view of the anti-north Indians agitation launched at the time by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The film showcases the injustice and discrimination against north Indians in Mumbai.