The High Court (HC) on Thursday suspended for three months a decision by the Bangladesh Film Certification Board to temporarily halt the certification of the film Contract Marriage, clearing the way for its screening in cinemas and on other platforms.
The order was passed by a HC bench comprising Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Syed Mohammad Tajrul Hossain following a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed by the film’s producer and director Hasan Jahangir.
Lawyer Nakib Saiful Islam, representing the petitioner, said the ruling means there is now no legal barrier to screening the film in theatres or through any other medium.
The Bangladesh Film Certification Board had suspended the certification of Contract Marriage on May 13, just days before its scheduled release last Friday. According to the board’s order issued under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the suspension took immediate effect and prohibited the film from being shown anywhere in Bangladesh until further notice.
The decision was taken following a written complaint submitted to the ministry by actress Jeba Jannat.
Hasan Jahangir filed the writ petition on May 19 challenging the legality of the board’s decision.
During the hearing, Nakib Saiful Islam represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Abdul Karim appeared on behalf of the state.
