In a setback to ace filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, the Andhra Pradesh high court on Monday refused to grant interim relief from appearing before the investigating officer for questioning in connection with a case filed against him for making derogatory references in his film Vyuham.
The high court, which took up the hearing on his petition seeking to quash the case filed against him, declined his request for an interim relief from arrest. The court issued notices to respondents in the quash petition.
The court suggested that Varma can file a petition for anticipatory bail, if he feared arrest.
The case pertains to the controversy surrounding Varma’s film Vyuham, released ahead of the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections.
The movie, along with Varma’s social media posts, allegedly targeted the then-opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan.
The posts sparked a political storm, leading to a complaint filed by Muthanapalli Ramalingam, TDP general secretary of Maddipadu mandal, in Prakasam district. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Varma.
Fearing arrest, Varma sought intervention from the high court, arguing for the dismissal of the case and seeking protection. However, the court dismissed his plea to prevent arrest, stating that he should approach the appropriate legal forums by filing a bail petition.
The police have issued a notice summoning Varma to appear for questioning on Tuesday. During the hearing, Varma’s counsel requested the court to direct the police to grant more time, but the court refused, stating such matters must be resolved with the police.
The high court’s refusal to grant relief has left uncertainty over whether Varma will comply with the police summons. If he fails to appear, officials are likely to take him into custody.
