Kerala High Court Upholds Free Expression in Arundhati Roy Book Cover Dispute
The Kerala High Court dismissed a PIL against Arundhati Roy's new book, which was challenged over its cover image of the author smoking. The court ruled the case unwarranted, noting the petitioner's lack of consultation with the competent authority and the disclaimer by the publisher clarifying no intent to promote smoking.
- Country:
- India
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a stay on the sale of Arundhati Roy's latest book due to its cover image depicting the author smoking. The court ruled that any potential infringement of tobacco advertisement laws should be assessed by the relevant authority specified under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar justified dismissing the PIL, pointing out the oversight of the petitioner's failure to consult appropriate channels before approaching the court. The bench emphasized that the PIL was notably deficient in research, especially considering the publisher's clear disclaimer indicating no intention to endorse smoking.
The court further expressed concern over the misuse of PILs for self-centered motives, indicating the risk of such actions detracting from their intended purpose of addressing genuine public concerns. The judgment underscores a commitment to preserving artistic expression while adhering to statutory regulations.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Google News