Gurugram imposes Section 144 in 200-mt radius around movie halls showing Padmaavat

GURUGRAM: If you are planning to watch 'Padmaavat' in Gurugram, plan to go in smaller groups. Theatres showing the film will have prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC imposed around them. The announcement was made by authorities after the Supreme Court ordered state governments against banning the film, and ensuring security for movie halls showing the film.

Gurugram's District Magistrate announced that Section 144 would be in place within a 200-meter radius around film halls till January 28. The film is scheduled for release on January 25.

The imposition of Section 144 prohibits the presence of persons carrying firearms and others articles capable of causing injury, raising slogans and exhibiting placards.

On Monday, Section 144 was imposed in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Budh Nagar, which includes Noida, and the order will continue to be in effect for the next two months. This had come after police failed to control a protest over the release of Padmaavat.

Noida witnessed multiple protests through Sunday. They started at Grand Venice Mall, Greater Noida later spread to Noida- Greater Noida Expressway and DND toll plaza. Hundreds of members of the Karni Sena, a Rajput output vandalised the Delhi Noida Direct (DND) Toll Plaza.

Delhi Police too is maintaining high security at the multiplexes and theatres across the city that are scheduled to show the movie.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court had allowed a country-wide release of the controversial movie on January 25. Despite the apex court's decision, several organisations are protesting against the release and have warned exhibitors of "serious consequences" if they screen the film.