MPHAL, June 19: A woman devotee of “Panthou,” a walking ‘demigod’ of Wangkhei Hijam Leirak here has filed a suit against Information Service Television (ISTV), Imphal and three other individuals along with their film firms for producing a comedy film on DVD format based on religious ceremonies at the Panthou’s temple.
All the prosecution witnesses are to give their testimonies in the court tomorrow in connection with the case.
The petitioner of the case is one Meitram Sumatibala, 52, wife of Ch Ibopishak, a resident of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi in Imphal West. She is stated to be the president of ‘Ima Leishem Iraat Loishang (ILIL),” the temple of Panthou located at his residence.
Sources said Sumatibala, the petitioner of the case filed a suit in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West (CJM/IW) against the three individuals and their film firms including ISTV on May 2 last. The court admitted the appeal and later registered it under case number 32 of 2012.
The accused and the film firms named in the case are Aribam Guneshwor, proprietor, M/S Anjinao Films, Paona Bazaar of Wangkhei Thangapat Mapal, Pukhrambam Nabachandra, proprietor, M/S PS Video Production, Singjamei Chinga Makha, Liwa Lambi and L Dhaneshwor, president, ISTV.
According to the appeal of the petitioner and president of ILIL, Sumatibala, on February 2, 2012, her near ones came across a comedy oriented compilation of a DVD film entitled “Langdai” which is a four minutes and 16 seconds-long film.
She charged that the film is based on the two occasions of “Mera Harao Thouni Iraat” ceremonies held at the Panthou’s temple on 2006 and 2007. The religious ceremonies were illegally captured by the accused and made the film.
The petitioner says the act hurts her religious feeling and pokes fun at Panthou, the demigod.
The comedy film is produced by M/S Video Productions and circulated and distributed by M/S Anjinao Films and ISTV network uses it for commercial purposes.
