India’s Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Central Government and filmmakers to restrain the release of a web series, UP 77, which is based on the life of notorious gangster Vikas Dubey. The court’s decision came after the wife of Vikas Dubey, Richa Dubey, approached the court claiming that the web series misrepresents their private life and would cause irreparable damage to their reputation.
The web series, UP 77, is set to be released on Voice OTT platform on December 25. Richa Dubey’s lawyer argued in the court that the social media advertisements and visuals clearly indicate that the story is based on Vikas Dubey’s infamous police encounter. The lawyer also claimed that the filmmakers have sensationalized and distorted the couple’s private life without their consent.
Vikas Dubey was killed in a police encounter on July 10, 2020, in Uttar Pradesh after he fired at the police in Ajmer, causing the police vehicle to overturn. The court has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday to hear the arguments of both parties.
The Delhi High Court’s decision comes after Chief Justice D.N. Patel allowed the matter to be heard on an urgent basis. Although Richa Dubey had requested an interim injunction, the court has decided to hear the arguments of all parties on Wednesday before making any decision.
The controversy surrounding the web series comes after the Pakistani web series, Siyapay, sparked outrage worldwide, including in India, after its release. The web series, UP 77, has been criticized for its alleged misrepresentation of Vikas Dubey’s life and his private life with his wife, Richa Dubey.
The court’s decision has raised concerns about the sensitivity of the matter and the potential impact on the couple’s reputation. The case highlights the need for careful consideration and due diligence when creating content based on real-life events and individuals.
