The Madras High Court today issued notice in a writ petition filed against the government and private cinema theatres for charging exorbitant rates for movie tickets over and above the maximum rates fixed by the state government..The matter came up before Justice M Duraiswamy. The petition was filed by private citizen and social activist, G Devarajan, who appeared in person to present his case..Devarajan has contended that private cinema theatres constantly charge prices exceeding the maximum prescribed limits, particularly for films featuring popular actors. Prices charged are even higher during the first 4-5 days of release. Reference in this regard has been emphasised on the recently released Ajith-starrer, Vivegam..It is submitted that this is being done in violation of provisions under the Tamil Nadu Cinema Theatre Regulation Act, 1957, as amended in 2009. The provisions prescribe the minimum and maximum rates that can be collected for sale of cinema tickets..Further, it has been contended that theatre owners are wilfully omitting to print the theatre name and price charged on movie tickets to deceive the government and the public. It has been argued that the issuance of tickets in Thermal paper also aids in concealing the illegal prices set by the theatre owners..It has also been pointed out that the instant case is not an isolated incident. Writ petitions have been moved earlier on similar grounds during the release of other Tamil movies including Kabali, Singham 3 and Bhairavi, all of which star popular actors. The said Writ Petitions are still pending before the court..Reference was also made to a similar writ petition filed in 2015. In response to the same, the court had passed directions to the state to constitute a special state team for the prevention of sale of film tickets at such high rates. Devarajan has submitted that the said team has not taken any action against errant cinema theatres..Following apprehension that the public will be overcharged for tickets yet again, Devarajan had made written complaints to state authorities prior to the release of Vivegam, to no fruitful response. The petitioner has therefore prayed that the Court direct the state authorities to do the needful to restrain movie theatre owners from overcharging customers..On hearing preliminary arguments made by the petitioner, the Court has proceeded to issue notice to the respondents. The counter by respondents is to be filed by September 11..Read copy of Writ Petition below.
The Madras High Court today issued notice in a writ petition filed against the government and private cinema theatres for charging exorbitant rates for movie tickets over and above the maximum rates fixed by the state government..The matter came up before Justice M Duraiswamy. The petition was filed by private citizen and social activist, G Devarajan, who appeared in person to present his case..Devarajan has contended that private cinema theatres constantly charge prices exceeding the maximum prescribed limits, particularly for films featuring popular actors. Prices charged are even higher during the first 4-5 days of release. Reference in this regard has been emphasised on the recently released Ajith-starrer, Vivegam..It is submitted that this is being done in violation of provisions under the Tamil Nadu Cinema Theatre Regulation Act, 1957, as amended in 2009. The provisions prescribe the minimum and maximum rates that can be collected for sale of cinema tickets..Further, it has been contended that theatre owners are wilfully omitting to print the theatre name and price charged on movie tickets to deceive the government and the public. It has been argued that the issuance of tickets in Thermal paper also aids in concealing the illegal prices set by the theatre owners..It has also been pointed out that the instant case is not an isolated incident. Writ petitions have been moved earlier on similar grounds during the release of other Tamil movies including Kabali, Singham 3 and Bhairavi, all of which star popular actors. The said Writ Petitions are still pending before the court..Reference was also made to a similar writ petition filed in 2015. In response to the same, the court had passed directions to the state to constitute a special state team for the prevention of sale of film tickets at such high rates. Devarajan has submitted that the said team has not taken any action against errant cinema theatres..Following apprehension that the public will be overcharged for tickets yet again, Devarajan had made written complaints to state authorities prior to the release of Vivegam, to no fruitful response. The petitioner has therefore prayed that the Court direct the state authorities to do the needful to restrain movie theatre owners from overcharging customers..On hearing preliminary arguments made by the petitioner, the Court has proceeded to issue notice to the respondents. The counter by respondents is to be filed by September 11..Read copy of Writ Petition below.