In Brief
A production company sought to screen the film 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot' in West Bengal. The police, without statutory authority, allegedly instructed cinema exhibitors not to screen the film, effectively censoring it outside any legal framework. The Supreme Court held that this police action violated the filmmakers', actors' and audience's constitutional rights to freedom of expression and occupation. The Court found the police had exceeded their statutory powers and operated as unconstitutional censors. It issued a mandamus restraining the state from preventing the film's screening, ordered Rs 20 lakhs compensation to the petitioners, and awarded Rs 1 lakh in costs.
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