Leela Samson resigns as Censor Board Chief

Censor Board Chief Leela Samson resigned from her post in protest against the clearance given to “Messenger of God” (MSG) featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT). The movie was cleared to be released on January 18.

Leela alleged corruption in the Censor Board while putting in her papers. She also claimed that the I&B Ministry is interfering in the affairs of Censor Board and even coercing officials. “It is a mockery of Central Board of Film Certification,” she said in reference to the clearance given to MSG.

The Censor Board had referred the issue of clearance to “Messenger of God” to FCAT, which gave its nod. However, Leela was against the release of the movie and wanted to block it. Leela Samson, who shares a close bonding with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her family, had courted a series of controversies during her tenure. She had offered to quit during the UPA rule too, but was persuaded by Sonia to stay back.