In a major legal respite, the High Court has granted interim relief to director Ram Gopal Varma, staying legal proceedings against him. The cases were filed in reaction to his controversial remarks against Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government. With this verdict, the state government cannot take instant action against him.
The row started when Varma made controversial statements while promoting his political movie “Vyuham,” inspired by YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy. The statements invited several police complaints in Andhra Pradesh, and the filmmaker was asked to appear before Prakasam district police for interrogation. In a bid to get legal cover, he approached the High Court, seeking the cancellation of the cases.
The High Court ordered a six-week stay after studying Varma’s plea, averting any court proceeding against Varma in these six weeks. The court set the next date for hearing to be April 17.
Apart from these, Varma has also been charged with digitally modifying photos of Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Lokesh, along with making objectionable remarks. Earlier, the Prakasam district’s Maddipadu police had served notice to him asking him to report for questioning, but he didn’t turn up. Instead, he obtained anticipatory bail in the High Court, which made him cooperate in the investigation. He subsequently agreed and reported to the inquiry.
With the recent High Court order, Varma has been provided temporary legal safeguard, as the state government considers his plea to have the case dismissed. Legal action is likely to gain more attention with its continuation.
