File photo of Censor Board chief Leela Samson
Censor Board chief Leela Samson has resigned amidst reports that controversial film "Messenger of God" featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in lead role has been cleared by Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT).
Asked if she was aware of media reports that the nod has been given by FCAT to the film's screening, Samson told PTI that "I hear so, there is nothing in writing yet. It is a mockery of Central Board of Film Certification. My resignation is final. Have informed the (I&B) Secretary".
There was, however, no official word on the decision, if any, of the FCAT.
The Censor Board had referred the issue of clearance to "Messenger of God" to FCAT. The film is scheduled to be released on Friday.
Asked why she has decided to quit, Ms Samson did not specifically refer to the reported clearance to the film but said the reasons cited are alleged "interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organization who are appointed by the ministry and having to manage an organization whose board has not met for over nine months as the ministry had no funds to permit the meeting of members."
She said the term of all the members and the chairperson of the Censor Board are over. "But since the new government failed to appoint a new Board and Chairperson, a few were given extension and asked to carry on till the procedure was completed," she said.
"However, recent cases of interference in the working of the CBFC by the ministry, through an 'additional charge' CEO, and corrupt panel members has caused a degradation of those values that the members of this Board of CBFC and Chairperson stood for," Ms Samson alleged.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of Sirsa (Haryana)-based Dera Sachcha Sauda said "as per our information, FCAT has cleared the movie for release. But a written order is awaited."