The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns over the streaming of the film ‘Satluj’ without a valid censor certificate, stating that publicly exhibiting or releasing a film without mandatory certification is a violation of the law.

The court made these observations while hearing a case related to the film’s release on an OTT platform. The hearing focused on the legal responsibilities of the state government, the central government, and digital platforms in ensuring compliance with film certification rules.

SC Says Streaming Without Certification Is Illegal

During the hearing, the Supreme Court clearly stated that any film shown to the public without the required certification cannot be considered legally valid. The court emphasized that film certification laws apply even when content is released through digital platforms.

The observations are expected to have wider implications for future film and OTT releases, especially regarding compliance with regulatory requirements.

State Government Responsible for Legal Action

The Supreme Court said that the concerned state government has the primary responsibility to initiate criminal proceedings in cases where a film is exhibited in violation of legal provisions.

The court noted that appropriate action should be taken according to the law if any film is released without fulfilling the required certification process.

Centre Can Order Removal of Content

The court also highlighted the role of the central government in regulating online content. It stated that the Centre has the authority to take necessary steps, including directing the removal of content that is being streamed without proper certification.

In this case, the court noted that action had already been taken to remove the film from the platform.

ZEE5’s Role Under Scrutiny

The Supreme Court also discussed the responsibility of the OTT platform ZEE5, which streamed the film. The court indicated that the role of the platform may be examined to determine whether it failed to follow legal requirements.

The possibility of action against the platform is also being considered.

OTT Regulation Debate Gains Attention

The case has once again brought focus to the issue of regulation of content on digital platforms. With the growing popularity of OTT services, questions regarding certification, accountability, and legal compliance have become increasingly important.