Court Clears Bengali Film Contract Marriage for Release
The High Court in Bangladesh on Thursday suspended for three months a decision by the national film certification board to halt the exhibition of the film 'Contract Marriage,' thereby clearing its path for release.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Md. Habibul Gani and Justice Syed Mohammad Tajrul Hosain issued the order after a preliminary hearing of a writ petition. The ruling means 'Contract Marriage' faces no legal impediment to being screened in cinemas or other platforms, according to Nakib Saiful Islam, the lawyer representing the petitioners.
The film, directed by Hasan Jahangir, had been scheduled for release last Friday. However, the Bangladesh Film Certification Board issued a temporary suspension of its certification on May 13, just days before its planned debut.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's certification board cited a written complaint from actress Jeba Jannat as the basis for its decision. The board's order, effective immediately, prohibited the film's exhibition in any Bangladeshi cinema or other medium until further notice.
In response to the certification board's May 13 ruling, Hasan Jahangir, the film's producer and director, filed a writ petition with the High Court on May 19, challenging the legality of the suspension.
Lawyer Nakib Saiful Islam argued on behalf of the petitioners in court, while Deputy Attorney General Abdul Karim represented the state.
