Renowned television producer Ekta Kapoor and her mother, Shobha Kapoor, are facing serious allegations involving the popular web series ‘Gandii Baat’. A case has been filed against them under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, accusing them of portraying objectionable scenes featuring minor girls in an episode of the ALTBalaji series.
The controversy surrounding ‘Gandii Baat’ stems from its sixth season, which reportedly aired between February and April 2021. The complaint claims that the series featured obscene scenes involving underage girls, prompting a case to be registered against Balaji Telefilm Limited, Ekta Kapoor, and Shobha Kapoor at the MHB police station in Mumbai. The charges include sections 295-A of the Indian Penal Code, provisions of the IT Act, and sections 13 and 15 of the POCSO Act.
The episode in question is currently not available on the ALTBalaji streaming platform, but the case highlights a growing concern about the portrayal of sensitive content, especially involving minors, in the online space. The controversy has once again brought to the forefront the need for stricter regulations and oversight of content on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms.
This incident comes at a time when the Supreme Court has ruled that mere possession of child pornography material constitutes an offence under the POCSO and IT laws, even if it is not disseminated further. Ekta Kapoor’s statement regarding these allegations is awaited.
‘Gandii Baat’, known for its erotic thriller narratives, has been a subject of controversy since its inception. Previous seasons of the series were available on other streaming platforms like ZEE5 and MX Player but were subsequently removed due to their adult content, following new government regulations implemented for OTT platforms.
The controversy surrounding ‘Gandii Baat’ raises serious questions about the responsibilities of content creators and the need for robust mechanisms to protect vulnerable groups, especially minors. As the case unfolds, it is expected to have significant implications for the future of content regulation and the responsible portrayal of sensitive subject matter within the rapidly evolving OTT landscape.