The court had earlier declined to grant any stay on the release of the film.

While considering the plea on Friday, the court said it cannot do anything now as the film has already been released.

Petitioner Pratibha Naithani’s lawyers Pradip Havnur and Jamshed Mistry, however, pointed out that under Section 32 of the Cinematography Act, the film board was bound to forward the complaint submitted by the petitioner to the Central Government. Naithani had on December 29 submitted a private complaint with the censor board. The lawyers said the board had done nothing on the complaint.

The petitioner is seeking a review of the film after which a proper adult certification be given to it for its violent content. The government had contended that the petitioner did not approach the censor board.

The court asked the authorities to reply within a week after the Central Government counsel sought time and adjourned the case till January 23.