The Allahabad High Court Division Bench of Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh recently dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the release of Akshay Kumar-starrer Jolly LLB 3, which was alleged to demean the legal profession. The bench reviewed the three official trailers and teasers of the film and held that they contained nothing objectionable to justify judicial interference.

The petition was filed by one Jay Vardhan Shukla, requesting the Court to issue directions restraining the release, exhibition, and distribution of Jolly LLB 3. They also sought removal of the song “Bhai Vakeel Hai” from digital platforms, revocation of certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and a public apology from the filmmakers.

According to the petitioners, the film’s trailer and songs projected advocates and the judiciary in a derogatory manner, amounting to contempt and defamation of the institution. It was argued that such portrayals harm the dignity of practicing lawyers, discourages the persons from joining the legal profession and creates disillusionment among law students and could ultimately weaken public faith in the justice delivery system.

The Union of India, represented by the Deputy Solicitor General of India, objected to the maintainability of the petition. It was pointed out that the petitioners had not approached the CBFC or the designated authorities under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, before rushing to court. The counsel further emphasized that a writ of mandamus cannot be issued unless the aggrieved party first makes a representation to the concerned authority, which had not been done in this case.

The court agreed with the objections raised by the Deputy Solicitor General of India and noted that the petitioners had not availed remedies available under the IT Rules, 2021, which specifically require grievances against online content to be first raised with intermediaries or publishers.

“We find from the petition that the petitioners have not yet approached any authority as given under the Rules, 2021. We find the preliminary objection raised by the learned Deputy Solicitor General of India to be of some substance,” the court found.

Furthermore, the bench personally reviewed the three trailers and teasers of Jolly LLB 3 as well as the lyrics of the song “Bhai Vakeel Hai” and didn't find anything which may interfere in the practice of the legal profession by genuine Advocates.

“We have also gone through the lyrics of the song "Bhai Vakeel Hai" and we do not find anything which may interfere in the practice of the legal profession by genuine Advocates,” the Court ruled.

In light of these findings, the Court dismissed the writ petition, emphasizing that mere apprehensions of derogatory portrayal cannot justify a judicial ban, especially when statutory remedies are available but not pursued. Reaffirming the importance of artistic freedom, it held that interference is unwarranted absent a clear violation of law or procedure, and accordingly rejected the plea without costs.

Case Details: Jay Vardhan Shukla And Another versus Union of India and 6 and ors, WRIT - C No. - 8488 of 2025

Advocate for the Petitioners: Anadi Chitranshi

Advocate for the Respondents: A.S.G.I.