Radia seeks stay on film depicting her life

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New Delhi, March 24 : Corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, linked to the spectrum scam, Thursday urged the Delhi High Court to stay the release of film 'Monica - The Politics of Murder' that she said depicted her life in a scandalous manner. But her lawyer said the film will be released Friday.

However, Justice V.K. Jain issued notice to the producer of the film, Kush Bhargava, a Lucknow-based Congress leader, asking him to file a copy of the film script or a CD by March 30, the next hearing.

The court said without looking at the script or CD, no opinion could be formed on the film.

Radia, director of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt Ltd whose telephonic conversations with corporate heads, journalists and political leaders were taped, filed the petition seeking 'permanent injunction' against the release of the film.

'Radia has not assigned anyone the right to make a film based on her life or any film showing the life of the petitioner... The production of the film in such a brazen manner and public viewing of such film will tarnish or damage her image and reputation beyond repair,' said Radia's advocate, Anip Sachthey.

'Divya Dutta, the protagonist, will have shades of both Shivani Bhatnagar (an Indian Express journalist killed in 1999) and Niira Radia,' said Sachthey, citing media reports.

The other actors in the film include Yashpal Sharma and Kittu Gidwani.

Before issuing the notice, Justice Jain said that it was the censor board which gave it a certificate after viewing it.

Radia said in her petition that permitting the publication of the transcripts would cause gross harm and damage.

'An ordinary citizen, who is not a public figure, is entitled to the right to privacy which is protected under article 21 of the constitution and the said right shall take precedence over all other rights of the public,' the petition said.