Godse Case Hearing In High Court

A full bench of Mumbai High Court would hear on June18 a petition asking for permanent leave to stage "emotional reading"of the banned play Mi Nathuram Godse Boltoy (I, Nathuram Godse Speaking).

The petition, filed by the writer-producer of the controversial play Pradip Dalvi,has been referred to a full bench as it involved constitutional law points andrelated important issues.

A full bench, comprising chief justice B.P. Singh, justice R.M. Lodha andjustice D.Y. Shandrachud, will hear the petition which seeks permission torecite the play by expressing emotions.

The government had banned the play in 1998 by issuing a notification whichrestrained public performance of the play in any form. The ban coveredscriptwriting, stage shows, sale or distribution of audio-video cassettes of theplay and seminars on the same theme.

The play was banned because the government felt that it amounted to glorifyingthe assassin of mahatma gandhi.

Before the ban, pradip dalvi had staged 70 to 80 performances of the play allover the country drawing huge
crowds. He had also rendered few performances abroad.

In May 1999, Davli had moved Mumbai high court urging for a one time performancein nearby Thane. Justice D.Y.
Chandrachud had then allowed only recital of the play and Dalvi took theopportunity to read the play before the
audience.