A Madhya Pradesh court has issued a notice to filmmaker Neeraj Pandey and senior Netflix officials in connection with the controversy related to the film. bribe taking pundit. The order was passed by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Jabalpur after taking cognizance of a criminal defamation complaint alleging that the title of the film was derogatory towards the Brahmin community.
MP court issues notice to Neeraj Pandey, Netflix executives on Ghooskhor Pandit title controversy
The case was heard by Magistrate Pankaj Savita, who examined an affidavit and supporting documents submitted by the complainant Pandit. Vaibhav Pathak. Based on the arguments and evidence placed before the court, notices were issued to the parties concerned.
Pathak, an active member of Madhya Pradesh Pragatisheel Brahmin Mahasabha, argued that the title of the Manoj Bajpayee starrer undermines the dignity of the Brahmin community. In his complaint he said the word “Pandit” has historically been a symbol of knowledge, scholarship and religious piety in the Indian tradition. He argued that associating it with a word that translates to “bribe” casts aspersions on the community at large and harms its social reputation.
During the proceedings, advocate Aseem Trivedi, appearing for the complainant, said that though the title of the film is reportedly being modified in compliance with the Supreme Court’s direction, the impact of the earlier publicity cannot be reversed. He argued that the widespread publicity of the original title had already caused reputational damage and that those responsible should be held accountable under the law.
The court has issued a legal notice to Pandey as the producer-director of the film and senior Netflix executives including Reed Hastings, Ted Sarandos, Bela Bajaria and Monica Shergill.
After the notice is issued, the named persons and representatives are expected to appear before the court to give their response. The next date of hearing is likely to be announced in due course.
This development adds to the ongoing debate around creative expression and community sensitivity, with legal proceedings now set to determine the next course of action.
