The Bombay high court has issued a notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in response to a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the “arbitrary, unreasonable, and unexplained delay” in certifying Ajey: The Untold Story Of A Yogi. The film is inspired by the book, The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, which was published in 2017.
According to the producers, the necessary documents had been submitted to the CBFC in time. The producers, who had filed multiple certification applications for the film, its trailer, teaser, and promotional song since early June 2025, have, in the writ petition, accused the CBFC of inaction and procedural non-compliance. Despite the film being scheduled for theatrical release on August 1, the CBFC has allegedly neither processed nor responded with appropriate answers to the applications.
The petition highlights that under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the newly notified Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, the CBFC is mandated to process certification applications within a defined statutory timeline. However, the Board has “failed” to act upon the petitioner’s applications.
The high court has issued notice to the CBFC to appear through its advocate in two days.
