The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition to halt the release of Netflix’s series Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, a comedy featuring a character who aces the Chartered Accountancy exams. The petition was filed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and several CAs, who claimed the show defamed their profession by portraying it in a vulgar manner.
Justice Navin Chawla, after reviewing the series trailer, found no derogatory references to the Chartered Accountancy profession. He emphasized that the show is a fictional comedy and that artistic expression, even in commercial media, should not be restricted by an overly sensitive approach.
Netflix, defending its content, highlighted that the series is entirely fictional and carries a disclaimer to that effect. The streaming giant also committed to adding a specific disclaimer stating that the series does not depict or refer to any profession.
This ruling underscores the importance of artistic freedom and the protection of creative expression in the face of legal challenges. The court’s decision reflects a broader recognition of the need to balance sensitivity with freedom of speech in the arts.
