Srinagar court dismisses obscenity case against fashion designers Shivan, Narresh over Gulmarg fashion show

A court in Srinagar has dismissed a complaint alleging that designer duo Shivan & Narresh and ELLE India’s Editor-in-Chief committed obscenity during a fashion show at the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg during the fasting month of Ramadan in March this year.

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Special Mobile Magistrate Srinagar, Faizan-i-Nazar, observed that two models wearing skimpy clothes or swimwear, in the broader context of the event, does not attract the penal offence of obscenity based on the facts disclosed in the complaint. Therefore, cognizance of such an offence cannot be taken.

The complainant, Aadil Nazir Khan, had sought the prosecution of designers Shivan and Narresh, ELLE India’s Editor-in-Chief, and unknown models under Sections 296 (obscene acts and songs) and 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 50-A (drinking in a public place) of the Jammu and Kashmir Excise Act, 1958.

The fashion show, held by designers Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja at the snow-covered Gulmarg resort on March 7 during the month of Ramadan, had caused massive outrage in the Valley.