Web series controversy: Mumbai Police dismiss complaint against Ekta Kapoor

Mumbai Police informed a court that no criminality was found in allegations that Ekta Kapoor’s Alt Balaji web series disrespected Indian soldiers. No official complaint was filed, and a similar case already exists in Madhya Pradesh, making new action unnecessary.

Mumbai: Mumbai Police have informed a court that no “criminality” was found in allegations that a web series telecast on Ekta Kapoor’s streaming platform Alt Balaji disrespected Indian soldiers.

No official or active-duty armed forces officer has filed a complaint against Kapoor or the OTT platform, and therefore, no legal action has been taken, the police report stated.

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The complaint was filed by YouTuber Vikas Pathak, also known as ‘Hindustani Bhau,’ in the Bandra magistrate court. He alleged that Kapoor and the OTT platform tarnished national pride by depicting an Indian Army uniform in an objectionable scene.

The magistrate had directed Khar police to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. According to the report submitted earlier this month, a case over the same matter has already been registered in Madhya Pradesh, making a new case elsewhere unnecessary.

Pathak had also named Kapoor’s parents, Shobha and Jeetendra Kapoor, as well as Alt Balaji in his complaint. He claimed the Kapoors were directors of the streaming platform, but the police report clarified that they are directors of Balaji Telefilm, not Alt Balaji.

The police concluded that no criminality was found in the allegations. Pathak’s lawyer, Advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, noted that while there is no bar to registering criminal cases in different states on the same issue, an accused can apply to have multiple cases clubbed.

The complaint stated that a web series on Alt Balaji depicted a military officer engaging in an “illicit sexual act,” which Pathak had come across in May 2020.