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7. Another newspaper "The Asian Age" in its weekend edition of 7th September 2002 reported the story under title "Manisha goes to Thackeray". In the said story it was reported thus :

"Actress Manisha Koirala, who plays the lead role in Shashilal Nair's Ek Chhotisi Love Story, met Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray at his residence Matoshree on Friday afternoon and thanked him for supporting her crusade against the controversial film.
It is learnt that Mr. Thackeray called sev-eral theatre owners in Mumbai and asked them to stop screening the film........"

The said story also carried the statement said to have been made by Manisha Koirala thus :

" 1. have had a long association with Mr. Thackeray -- right from the time when I worked with his son Binda Thackeray. Mr. Binda Thackeray produced the movie Agnisakshi. I met Balasaheb because I was totally distressed. I talked to him about my problems and he immediately appointed Mr. Satish Maneshinde to fight my case in Court. Mr. Maneshinde presented it correctly and we managed to obtain a stay on the movie's release."

5. Before we consider the apology tendered by Ms. Manisha Koirala and Shri Shashilal Nair, we record the finding that both contemnors namely Ms. Manisha Koirala and Shri Shashilal Nair had committed criminal contempt of this Court. It is not disputed before us that Ms. Manisha Koirala met Shiv Sena Chief Chri Bal Thackeray on 6th September 2002. The material placed before us leave no manner of doubt that meeting of Mr. Manisha Koirala with Shiv Sena Chief Shri Bal Thackeray led to disruption of screening of the film "Ek Chhotisi Love Story" on 6th September 2002 in various theatres of Mumbai by Shiv Sainiks. Though the screening of the film "Ek Chhotisi Love Story" in various theatres and cinema halls in Mumbai may amount to disobedience and disregard to the ad-interim order passed by this Court on 5th September 2002, save and except legal process, the party in whose favour such order was passed cannot be permitted to act extra legally, extra constitutionally and extra judicially by seeking help of third person in enforcement of the Court's order. If the screening of the film despite injunction order was in violation of the Court's order it was for the aggrieved party to move this Court for appropriate action. The meeting of Ms. Manisha Koirala with Shiv Sena Chief Shri Bal Thackeray in a subjudice matter before this Court has given an impression to the public at large that though the Court's order may be ineffective but the words of Shiv Sena Chief are more effective and when the writ of the Court may fail to work, the writ of Shiv Sena Chief shall run in the city of Mumbai. The dignity of Court in the esteem of public has, thus, been definitely lowered down by such conduct of Ms. Manisha Koirala.

7. The conduct of contemnor No. 2 Shri Shashilal Nair is no better. The material placed before us clearly suggest that after Ms. Manisha Koirala had meeting with Shiv Sena Chief on 6th September 2002 and the screening of film was disrupted in various theatres of Mumbai and Thane, Shri Shashilal Nair also met Mr. Thackeray and requested him to see his film "Ek Chhotisi Love Story". Shri Shashilal Nair insisted Shri Bal Thackeray to see his film in order to understand his side of story and do justice. Whether in fact Shri Bal Thackeray saw the film or not is immaterial but the fact is that in subjudice matter Shri Shashilal Nair insisted that Shri Bal Thackeray must see his film and do justice. This is indeed gross contemptuous act on the part of the party to the proceedings pending before this Court. The administration of justice in the system where rule or law prevails is prerogative of the Courts which is discharged with solemnity and due divinity and no third person in a pending matter without permission of the Court can be given the task of imparting justice. The material placed before us leave no manner of doubt that Shri Shashilal Nair by his conduct has meddled with the authority of the Court and is guilty of having committed criminal contempt as defined under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Court's Act, 1971. As a matter of fact the learned senior counsel appearing for Ms. Manisha Koirala and Shri Shashilal Nair did not justify the act and conduct on part of the parties nor did they dispute that action, act or deed on their part amounted to criminal contempt.