India News

Modi’s brushes with poll code of conduct: SC to hear plea against release of his biopic

Published

7 years ago

April 4, 2019

It is practically a blitz against norms of fair play, pushing the limits of model code of conduct in 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is right at its centre.

It includes some real issues, some that are not quite so – starting from questions about Indian Air Force’s strike at Balakot in retaliation against the Pulwama terror attack and the demonstration of a claimed anti-satellite missile technology, to PM Modi and BJP leaders in top government offices invoking armed forces, employing the Hindu-Muslim tirade, using official machinery in election campaign, projecting Modi on airline boarding cards and tea cups in trains, and mass communication means to project Modi at election time.

The eponymous biopic on Modi, ‘PM Narendra Modi’ and NaMo TV are part of this series.

After the Election Commission reportedly found nothing wrong with the release of the Modi biopic, the Supreme Court, approached by the Congress, today (Thursday, April 4) said that it will hear the plea seeking a stay on the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8, Monday.

A bench of Justice SA Bobde, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice Indira Banerjee agreed to hear the plea by Aman Panwar, one of the Congress spokesman, contending that the release of Modi biopic ahead of the election would disturb the level playing field.

Mentioning the matter for an urgent hearing, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that the release of the film produced by three members of the ruling party in the midst of the election would disturb level playing field which is so essential for the purity of election and democracy.

Senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for petitioner advocate Aman Panwar, spokesperson of the Congress, said two high courts have refused to interfere with the release of the movie starring Vivek Oberoi.

He submitted that the release of the movie may affect free and fair election as mandated in the Constitution. Singhvi said the movie was slated to be released on April 5 but there were some media reports which said the release has been deferred by a few days.

According to media reports, the movie’s release has been postponed by a week to April 12, though the producers have not said anything officially. The producers’ links with BJP have been reported earlier by The Wire.

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had on Wednesday rejected a plea seeking a ban on the release of the movie, ‘PM Narendra Modi’. The Bombay High Court had also on Monday disposed of a plea seeking deferment of the release of the biopic, saying the Election Commission will deal with the issue.

The film covers Modi’s life from cradle-to-2014 film. Directed by Omung Kumar, it traces Modi’s evolution through various phases of his life, including his enrolment in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), his stint as chief minister of Gujarat, and his elevation to a national role in 2014. The trailer suggests a heavily partisan portrait.

Also Read: Election Commission asks Information & Broadcasting Ministry for details of NaMo TV

Actor Vivek Oberoi, who plays the role of Modi, defended the biopic in an interview to NDTV. “Why are such senior and famous lawyers like Abhishek Singhvi ji and Kapil Sibal ji wasting time on filing a PIL on such a modest film? Don’t know if they are scared of the film or of Chowkidar’s danda,” Oberoi said.

A sting operation claimed Oberoi was among the actors willing to participate in political propaganda for money.

Modi biopic, said reports, was rushed into production in late January. The poster was launched by Devendra Fadnavis, BJP leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister, in Mumbai, and the production has been wrapped up in record time.

At the movie’s trailer launch in Mumbai two weeks ago, Oberoi was asked about the timing of the release. “Modi hai to mumkin hai,” replied the actor, who came dressed as his character to the event.

Trailers of the movie with Oberoi as Modi are being streamed on several TV channels. The two-and-half minute trailer had over a million views shortly after it emerged online, reports said.

Oberoi, a Modi fan, denied that the film’s release violates the code of conduct for the April-May national election, by glorifying PM Modi. “We are not projecting Modi ji as larger than life… he already is larger than life,” he said according to an NDTV report.

Web Serial

Another Modi celebration, a ten-part web series directed by Umesh Shukla, has been partially released on Eros Now. Five of the 10 episodes that comprise Modi: Journey of a Common Man were released on the streaming platform on Wednesday. The series stars Faisal Khan, Ashish Sharma and Mahesh Thakur as Modi at different ages. The episodes that are out cover Modi’s childhood and his experiences during the Emergency between 1975 and 1977.

NaMo TV

Acting on the premise – it cannot be dignified with the term ‘principle’ – that if you can get away with it, there’s nothing wrong with it (or, that if you aren’t caught, you haven’t done anything wrong), NaMo TV has been running merrily on all DTH platforms like Tata Sky, Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel, Siti Network, among others.

The channel covering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches and election rallies, went on air last week after election dates were announced. Soon after its launch, PM Modi posted a tweet urging people to watch his interaction with chowkidars live on NaMoTV. Modi’s official app owned by BJP, the NaMo app reportedly has an option called NaMo TV, on which the Prime Minister’s past and live speeches can be listened to.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, asked about NaMo TV, told NDTV: “Let the appropriate authorities answer. Let the Information and Broadcasting and EC (Election Commission) comment on it. You and I should not get into it.”

The Election Commission has asked for a report on NaMo TV from the Information and Broadcasting ministry after the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the ruling party has sneaked in the channel to push its campaign, in a serious violation of the code of conduct in place for the April-May national election.

It now emerges that the channel that has been on air for a week now never applied for a broadcast licence, said a report by news portal ThePrint.

It also does not have a compulsory security clearance and this makes the enterprise illegal under broadcast laws, said the report.

It is possibly a first in the history of broadcasting in India that a channel had gone on air without any permission from the government or even applying for it, said the report quoting an official in the Information and Broadcasting ministry.

“There have been instances of cable operators airing Pakistani or Chinese channels without permission in some places but this is possibly the first time when an Indian television channel, possibly owned by a politician or a political party, has gone on air without any permission,” the I&B ministry official told ThePrint.

The channel also does not feature on the list of permitted channels, issued by the I&B, as of 31 March.

Interestingly, sources from the same ministry, I&B, told NDTV that NaMo TV “is an ‘advertising platform’ that does not need the government’s approval.

The ministry, which is preparing its reply for the Election Commision, told NDTV that NaMo TV “is not a normal channel”. “It is a kind of advertising platform launched by the service provider, currently being run on some DTH platforms,” reported NDTV quoting sources who said no approval is required to run such platforms.

Tata Sky said NaMo TV is “not a Hindi news service” but a special service via internet that does not need a government licence.

Tata Sky had earlier tweeted that NaMo TV is a “Hindi news service which provides the latest breaking news on national politics”

“NaMo TV is not a Hindi News service. If someone in the frontline at Tata Sky has tweeted or said that it is a news service, it is a mistake,” Harit Nagpal, the CEO of Tata Sky, told NDTV. He said NaMo TV “does not fall into any genre” and the feed is “coming from the BJP via Internet”.

“Special services do not need a license,” he added.

The channel was quietly launched on March 31 (Sunday), and has been promoted by the BJP as well as related accounts.

Tata Sky had also revealed in tweets that the controversial channel “is added to all subscribers as a launch offer” and there is “no option to delete the individual channel”.

Misuse of DD

The EC has also learnt to have written separately to Doordarshan for telecasting live the ‘Main bhi chowkidar’ programme of Mr. Modi on March 31 evening for one hour.

The Congress had written to ECI against the BJP’s alleged “misuse” of Doordarshan in broadcasting certain speeches by PM Modi.

The Congress has called for a level playing field for all parties in election campaigning.

Modi’s ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ programme was being broadcast live on DD News and its YouTube channel, and the said programme was even being promoted on social media handles of DD News, the Congress memorandum said.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

Published

18 hours ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

India News

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

18 hours ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

India News

PM Modi’s Saptadhara Vision: 7 streams driving India’s next growth phase

PM Modi outlined “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, identifying seven streams including manufacturing, farming, technology, defence, green energy and soft power.

Published

18 hours ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, outlined “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, describing seven key streams that he said can drive India’s next phase of growth and strengthen its journey towards self-reliance and development.

The seven streams identified by the Prime Minister are manufacturing, farming, technology, Gatishakti, Raksha Shakti, green and blue economy, and soft power.

Calling on the country to focus on these areas, PM Modi said the seven streams represent India’s strength and can help the country become more self-reliant.

Manufacturing as the engine of growth

PM Modi called manufacturing the first stream of Saptadhara and stressed the need to significantly strengthen the sector.

He said India needs to produce both components and complete products and should emerge as a key destination in global supply chains.

The Prime Minister highlighted cost, quality and scale as important factors for Indian manufacturers to compete globally. He also stressed the importance of attractive packaging and precision in manufacturing.

Farming and food processing

Agriculture and food processing were identified as the second stream.

PM Modi said global markets are increasingly accessible to Indian farmers and called for greater efforts to take agricultural products from farms to international markets.

He highlighted traditional foods, millets, spices, fruits and vegetables, saying these products should be developed into global brands.

Technology and innovation

Technology and innovation form the third stream of Saptadhara, according to PM Modi.

He highlighted areas such as data centres, robotics and emerging technologies, saying India should aim to become a hub for these sectors.

Referring to the country’s experience with UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure, PM Modi said India has already demonstrated its technological capabilities and must now take the next leap in next-generation communication technology.

He also spoke about the goal of Made-in-India 6G reaching across the country.

Gatishakti and faster connectivity

The fourth stream is Gatishakti, with the Prime Minister stressing the importance of speed and connectivity for India’s growth.

PM Modi called for greater emphasis on roads and expressways to support businesses and said the country needs seamless, high-speed connectivity.

He also highlighted high-speed rail connectivity between cities and port-led development as areas requiring greater focus.

Raksha Shakti and self-reliant defence

Defence is the fifth stream of Saptadhara.

PM Modi called for greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing and highlighted the need to develop advanced technologies in the sector.

He particularly stressed the importance of drone and counter-drone technology, saying India needs to invest in these areas.

The Prime Minister also said India should move beyond being a market for defence equipment and work towards becoming a global supplier by developing next-generation defence technologies.

Green and blue economy

Green energy forms the sixth stream of Saptadhara.

PM Modi called for greater innovation in green energy and said India should aim for global leadership in green hydrogen, renewable energy and energy storage while continuing to contribute solutions to global challenges.

He also highlighted opportunities in the Blue Economy, particularly in fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology, saying these areas can create new pathways for India’s growth.

Soft power

Soft power is the seventh stream identified by PM Modi.

He cited Yoga, handicrafts, films, animation, gaming, digital content and the creative sector as examples of India’s soft power.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s potential to attract global tourists and called for greater focus on the country’s tourism opportunities, including its national parks and other attractions.

With “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, PM Modi outlined a broad growth framework covering manufacturing and agriculture, emerging technology, connectivity, defence, sustainable energy, the blue economy and India’s cultural and creative influence.