Plea of Priya Singh Paul , who claims to be biological daughter of Sanjay Gandhi, dismissed

The Bombay High Court on Monday cleared the decks for the release of Madhur Bhandarkar’s film Indu Sarkar on July 28 by dismissing a plea seeking prohibitory orders.

A Division Bench of Justice Anoop Mohta and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai was hearing a petition filed by Priya Singh Paul (48) from Haryana, which said that she has learnt from reliable and genuine sources that she is the biological daughter of Sanjay Gandhi. She also said that she has sent letters to other family members requesting samples for DNA matching and a response is awaited.

Advocate Tanveer Nizam, representing Ms. Paul, said the film depicts Sanjay Gandhi and his mother Indira Gandhi in a disgraceful and wrong manner.

Therefore, she urged the court to set aside the certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) or issue prohibitory orders restraining public exhibition, display of film in any manner till 30% facts are deleted from the film to the satisfaction of the CBFC.

Advocate Birendra Saraf, appearing for Mr. Bhandarkar, said Ms. Paul has no locus standi to file the petition since at the outset, her biological lineage to Sanjay Gandhi is probable, and the petition is not maintainable on this ground. “She has approached the court belatedly, closer to scheduled release date; hence should not be entitled to any relief.”

Mr. Saraf said the film carries a disclaimer that it is a work of fiction and that the film is certified by the CBFC and has been issued a U/A certificate.

The court dismissed the plea and said, “Unless the claim of lineage is finalised, there is no ground to stop the release of the film.”