Story perspectives

NALSAR Students Screen Uncertified Documentary Without Permission

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 4:56 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Students at NALSAR University of Law screened the documentary “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present” without university permission.
About 30 to 40 students attended and did not seek permission.
Vice-chancellor Prof Srikrishna Deva Rao said the university did not authorise the screening.
60-minute documentary directed by Lalit Vachani remains uncertified by Central Board of Film Certification.
The CBFC warned that exhibiting uncertified films publicly violates the Cinematograph Act without an exemption.

History

Historical Context

Indira Gandhi declared a national Emergency on 25 June 1975, suspending civil liberties and imposing film bans; the period lasted 21 months and saw 34,988 arrests under MISA. In 2024, NALSAR professor Srikrishna Deva Rao barred a screening of Lalit Vachani’s documentary, invoking the same Cinematograph Act and prompting legal challenges to academic freedom.

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Story summary

Students at NALSAR University of Law screened the documentary “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present” without university permission.
About 30 to 40 students attended and did not seek permission.
Vice-chancellor Prof Srikrishna Deva Rao said the university did not authorise the screening.
60-minute documentary directed by Lalit Vachani remains uncertified by Central Board of Film Certification.
The CBFC warned that exhibiting uncertified films publicly violates the Cinematograph Act without an exemption.

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