MUMBAI: The Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court has issued notices to the director and producers of Dum Maaro Dum over a petition seeking a ban on the film due to release on 22 April.

"The film is against public order, decency and morality and there is clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India to the people of Goa," said petitioner Savio Rodrigues in his plea.

"The film is scheduled to be released on 22 April and as per the publicity given to the film by the producers in the media, the film will attract criminal minded tourists and offenders and drive away decent travellers and tourists from Goa," the petition said.

Rodrigues has sought the ban alleging that the film portrayed Goa and its women in bad light. He claimed that the film would have an adverse impact on the state‘s tourism industry.

Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari and Justice F.M. Reis issued notices returnable by 13 April to the film‘s director Rohan Sippy, Ramesh Sippy Entertainment and Fox Star Studios India (co-producers), Goa‘s chief secretary and the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Goa Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar has said that he would be taking up the issue of Goa‘s bad portrayal in the film with the director.