The Supreme Court on Friday protected documentary filmmaker Leena Manimekalai from any coercive steps in the existing six FIRs registered against her in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, or any other FIR that may be registered for portraying Goddess Kaali smoking in a poster of her documentary film.

 Madurai born Toronto based filmmaker Leena Manimekalai is a Tamil poet, whose works are recognised and awarded.

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 Issuing notice to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi governments on the filmmaker Leena Manimekalai’s plea seeking the quashing of FIRs and protection, a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha posted the matter for further hearing on February 17, 2023.

 “Issue notice to the respondents. List on February 17, 2023. No coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner either on the basis of FIRs or pursuant to any FIR which may have been lodged or may be lodged in relation of the same matter,” the court said in its order.

 The top court order directing no coercive step against Leena Manimekalai has also stalled the look out notice, rooted in these FIRs, issued against Leena Manimekalai.

 Asking the senior lawyer Kamini Jaiswal appearing for the filmmaker Leena Manimekalai whether they have already filed an application for the clubbing of the FIRs, the bench said that the lodging of FIRs in different States may cause serious prejudice to the filmmaker and issued notice to the States for the consolidation of all the FIRs at one place.

 Manimekalai has approached the top court seeking protection and quashing of the FIRs registered against her in several States relating to the smoking Goddess Kali poster.

 Describing Manimekalai a Tamil poet whose works are recognised and awarded, senior advocate Kamini Jaiswal told the court that  Manimekalai’s attempt as a creative filmmaker was not to offend the religious sentiment of anyone but to depict the image of a radically inclusive goddess.

 The filmmaker, who has multiple FIRs against her, said she has received many calls threatening her with death, beheading, rape and murder after she tweeted the poster of her film, Goddess Kali.

 She said that she has also received calls for violence against her family members and crew members.