Pune court summons Nathuram Godse filmmaker

A Pune court on Friday issued summons to Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha general secretary Munna Kumar Sharma, asking him to appear before the court on January 20.

The summons was issued in response to a suit filed by activist Hemant Patil seeking a ban on Sharma's film Desh Bhakt Nathuram Godse, which is slated for release this month-end.

Patil's advocate Wajid Khan said the summons was issued by judicial magistrate first class Anirudh Pathak.

As the film has the potential to "incite people on communal lines", the petition prayed for a ban on its release. According to the suit, the film would be released on the same date Godse had gunned down Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.

In the suit, Patil prayed that the film's release be stopped until the producer satisfies the court that it would not cause any communal flare-up.