Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court stayed on Friday the arrest of Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the producers of the web series “Mirzapur”, after an FIR was registered against them for allegedly hurting religious, social and regional sentiments through their portrayal of the eastern UP town of Mirzapur.

Hearing a writ petition filed by Akhtar and Sidhwani, a division bench comprising Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Subhash Chand also issued a notice to the state government and the complainant seeking their replies. The next hearing was listed for the first week of March.

Sidhwani and Akhtar had moved the HC after an FIR was registered in Kotwali Dehat, Mirzapur, against them under IPC Sections 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting religious beliefs), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and under Section 67-A of the Information Technology Act.

The primary allegation against the producers was improper and indecent portrayal of the town of Mirzapur, which hurt religious, social and regional sentiments and could advance animosity.