SC issues notice to Kaal producers

The Supreme Court issued notices to Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment -- the producers of Kaal -- and the Centre on allegations that Kaal was shot deep within the Jim Corbett National Park in violation of the Wildlife Act.

Questions about the movie, which released in theatres today, were mentioned in an application before a bench comprising Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice S B Sinha and Justice S H Kapadia. The bench also issued notices to the Uttaranchal government. The Corbett National Park is in the state.

The application, mentioned by senior advocate Harish Salve during the hearing of matters relating to forests, alleged that the shooting of the film took place in 'gross violation' of the Wildlife Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

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It requested the Court to impose exemplary damages on the film as it was shot without necessary permissions either from the Central Government or the concerned authorities.

Mentioning that Lok Sabha member Maneka Gandhi had drawn the attention of the Centre to this aspect of the film, Salve asked the Union government to initiate appropriate action after investigating the matter and to submit a report to the court.

The Ajay Devagan, Vivek Oberoi, John Abraham, Esha Deol and Lara Dutta starrer Kaal was also put under the scanner for cruelty to animals like tigers, which were used as performing animals.

When contacted, director Soham said, "We have taken the required permission from the Corbett National Park and the Uttaranchal forest ministry. We have followed all the rules and guidelines that need to be followed."

The makers of the film would reply after they received the legal notice, he added.