India, June 17 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government and asked it to allow the release of Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan's film 'Thug Life', stating that it cannot allow mobs and vigilantes to take over the streets.

Expressing concerns over the "extra-judicial ban" on the screening of Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, a bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan said the rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released and the state has to ensure its screening.

The benchi was hearing a PIL filed by one Mahesh Reddy seeking directions to allow the screening of 'Thug Life', which was not released in Karnataka after certain groups issued threats against its exhibitio...