New Delhi, Jan 23, : The Delhi High Court on Friday struck down the Central Government''s plea of banning smoking scenes in films, saying onscreen smoking is a part of the artist''s creative licence.

The ruling came after film director Mahesh Bhatt challenged the government''s order to ban smoking scenes in films.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul struck down the rules framed by Centre, saying, "Director of films should not have multifarious authorities breathing down their necks when indulging in a creative act." (ANI)