25 OTT apps banned for obscene, vulgar content
Among the apps identified for violating various laws are ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, ShowHit, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks, officials said. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting took the action in consultation with the Ministries of Home, Women and Child Development, Electronics, Information Technology and Law, industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts in the field of women and child rights.
Notifications have been issued to various intermediaries as per the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2021, to ensure that access to the concerned websites and apps is disabled. Officials said content on these platforms included sexual innuendos, long portions of sexually explicit scenes without any storyline, theme or message in a social context.
The government had received complaints against these platforms from the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and from members of the public over the past year. Earlier, the web series 'House Arrest' was taken down by Ullu in May, after intervention by the ministry. Officials said all 25 platforms were asked, in September last year, to refrain from publishing obscene, vulgar and in some cases pornographic content, but they continued to publish such content. They said five platforms, which were blocked earlier in March 2024, started publishing obscene content on new website domains.
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First Post
5 days ago
- First Post
Kerala HC orders interim stay on proceedings in FIR against actor Shwetha Menon
The High Court found merit in Menon's argument, raised by her counsel, that procedural norms were not adhered to since the complaint was quickly passed on to the police without the mandatory report and inquiry read more The Kerala High Court has issued a stay on the proceedings related to an FIR filed against acclaimed Malayalam film actor Shwetha Menon. The interim order, passed by Justice V G Arun, came in response to Menon's plea seeking to quash the FIR, which accuses her of publishing or transmitting obscene scenes from her past films and advertisements. The High Court found merit in Menon's argument, raised by her counsel, that procedural norms were not adhered to since the complaint was quickly passed on to the police without the mandatory report and inquiry. Highlighting the issue, the court said, 'Considering the short duration within which the complaint was filed and forwarded to the police, it appears that no such procedure was followed. Registry shall call for a report from the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam regarding the procedure followed before forwarding the complaint to the police for investigation.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The court has consequently stayed further proceedings in the case, referenced as crime number 1075/2025 of the Ernakulam central police station, and issued notices to the state and the original complainant, the latter being responsible for the magistrate court's decision to lodge the FIR. The FIR alleges violation of Section 67, which pertains to publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form, under the Information Technology Act, as well as certain provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Shwetha Menon, renowned for movies such as 'Salt N' Pepper', 'Rathinirvedam', and 'Kalimannu', is currently contending for the presidency of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), with elections slated for August 15. Menon, in her plea to quash the FIR, termed the allegations as 'mala fide' and argued that the offenses listed against her are baseless. The complainant, Martin Menachery, alleged that Menon participated in films like 'Paleri Manikkyam', 'Rathinirvedham', 'Kalimannu' and a condom advertisement, aiming for financial gain from obscenity. Menon refuted these claims by pointing out that the films mentioned were legally censored and certified, remaining available to the public for years. Notably, her portrayal in 'Paleri Manikyam' earned her a Kerala State Award for Best Actress. She also affirmed that the advertisement in question was subject to the same censorial scrutiny. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Furthermore, the actor denounced accusations about running pornographic websites as 'absurd and per se defamatory,' asserting that such claims lacked any material backing and were raised irresponsibly. Menon also speculated that the complaint was strategically filed subsequent to her nomination for the AMMA presidency.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala HC stays FIR proceedings against actor Swetha Menon; questions procedure in obscenity case
KOCHI: Expressing doubts about the procedural correctness of the lower court, the Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed further proceedings in the FIR registered against actor Swetha Menon for allegedly making financial gains through her roles in movies featuring vulgar and obscene content. 'I find prima facie substance in the contention of the counsel for the petitioner that before forwarding the complaint for investigation under Section 175(3) of BNSS, the requirements therein, of calling for a report from the police and making enquiry, ought to have been complied with. Considering the short duration between filing and forwarding of the complaint to the police, it appears that no such procedure was followed,' said Justice V G Arun. He also directed the Registry to call for a report from the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, regarding the procedure adopted before forwarding the complaint to the police for investigation. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Swetha Menon seeking to quash the FIR based on a complaint filed by Martin Menacherry, of Ernakulam. Swetha Menon is a candidate in the upcoming election for president of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) to be held on August 15. The FIR charges offences under Sections 3 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and Section 67(A) (Publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit acts) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Advocates Unni Sebastian Kappen and M Revikrishnan, representing Swetha Menon before the High Court, submitted that the case is an abuse of the process of the court, as the allegations are ex facie absurd and improbable. The prosecution alleged that the accused, to secure monetary gain, appeared in several films and advertisements that contain obscene visuals. The complainant, Martin Menacherry, claimed that the visuals of the accused in these films and advertisements, which are available in public domain, are obscene and vulgar. By appearing in such advertisements and acting in films, the accused allegedly gained financial benefits. The complainant also alleged that the actor appeared in a vulgar manner by acting in a condom advertisement years ago and by acting in films like Paleri Manikyam, Rathinirvedham, Kalimannu, and more. The complainant further alleged that by searching the Internet, one could find photos of the accused, which, according to him, are obscene. The petition by Swetha described the complaint as unfounded, baseless, and absurd, pointing out that the allegation that the accused is securing financial gain by running pornographic websites is made without an iota of material to prima facie justify such a claim. The films in which the petitioner appeared are all duly censored and certified, and have been available in public domain for several years. It is crucial to note that the character portrayed by the petitioner in the movie Paleri Manikyam, which the complainant claims is obscene, earned her a Kerala State Award for Best Actress, stated the petition.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Case against Shwetha Menon: Kerala HC stays proceedings
Kochi: High court on Thursday stayed the police investigation and further proceedings in a case against Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon , based on a complaint alleging that she appears in obscene films and advertisements and thereby gains monetary benefits, until Sept 23. The interim order was issued by Justice V G Arun in a petition filed by Menon seeking to quash the case registered against her by the Ernakulam Central police. The case originated from a complaint referred to the police by the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) court, Ernakulam. While considering the petition, the bench observed that there appeared to be prima facie merit in Menon's contention that, before referring the complaint for investigation under Section 175 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the magistrate ought to have complied with the procedural requirement of calling for a report from the investigating officer and conducting a preliminary inquiry. Given the short interval between the filing of the complaint and its referral to the police, the court noted that such procedures did not appear to have been followed. The court further directed the high court registry to call for a report from the CJM court, Ernakulam, regarding the procedure adopted after the filing of the complaint and before it was forwarded to police. Notice was also issued to the complainant. Additionally, the court orally remarked that it would refrain from commenting further on the merits of the complaint, as doing so would amount to judicial overreach. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo The case stems from a private complaint filed by Martin Menachery of Thoppumpady in Kochi before the CJM court on July 31. The CJM court forwarded the complaint to police under Section 175(3) of the BNSS, which empowers a magistrate to refer a complaint to police for investigation. Acting on the referral, police registered a case against Menon on Aug 5 under Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, which pertains to the publication or transmission of sexually explicit content in electronic form, and Sections 3 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. This prompted Menon to approach HC. Menon's counsel pointed out that the complaint was filed on the last day for withdrawal of nominations in elections to various posts in Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He further alleged that the complaint was a dubious attempt to prevent Menon from contesting for the post of AMMA president. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
