K.Suthan v. The Secretary To Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12.01.2024 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY K.Suthan ..

Petitioner Vs.

1. The Secretary to Government Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs North Block, New Delhi- 110 001.

2. The Secretary to Government Government of India Ministry of Information and Technology Department North Block, New Delhi- 110 001.

3. The Chief Secretary to the Government Government of Tamil Nadu Fort St. George, Secretariat Chennai- 600 009.

4. The Secretary to Government Government of India Ministry of Information and Technology Department Fort St.George, Secretariat Chennai- 600 009.

5. The Director General of Police Dr.RadhaKrishnan Road, Mylapore Chennai- 600 004.

6. M/s.You Tube Rep by its Chief Executive Officer FIFC Level-7, Registered Office at Units 701 Plot No.C-54/55, G-Block Bandra Kurla Complex Road Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharastra- 400 051.

7. M/s. Face Book India Online Service Private Ltd., Rep by its Chief Executive Officer Registered Office at Unit No. 1203 and 1204 Level-12, Building No.20, Raheja Mines Space Cyberabad, Madhapur, High Tech City Hyderabad, Telangana State- 500 081.

8. M/s.Instagram Rep by its Chief Executive Officer Registered Office Unit No. 1203 and 1204 Level-12,Building No.20, Raheja Mines Space Cyberabad, Madhayapur, High Tech City Hyderabad, Telangana State-500 081.

9. M/s. Disney + Hotstar Rep by its Chief Executive Officer Registered Office at 26th Floor, Urmi Estate Ganapatra Ladam Marg, Lower Parel West Mumbai, Maharastra- 400 013.

10.M/s. Big Flix Private Ltd Rep by its Chief Executive Officer, Registered Office at 49/50, 4th Floor Maruti Chambers, Veera Desai West Mumbai, Extn Road, Andheri.

11.M/s.Voot Rep by its Chief Executive Officer,

Registered Office at Zion Biz World, A Vile Park (East) Mumbai, India- 400 057.

12.M/S.Sony Pictires Networks India Pvt (Sony Live) Rep by its Chief Executive Officer Registered Office at No.31/1, Old No.12 Shaffee Mohamed Road, Thousand Lights Chennai- 600 006.

13.M/s.MX Player Rep by its Chief Executive Officer Registered Office at 2nd Floor Kana Kia Wall Street, Andheri Kurla Road, Chakala Hanuman Nagar Andheri East, Mumbai- 400 093.

14.M/s.Zee 5 Rep by its Chief Executive Officer Registered Office at 18th Floor A-Wing Marathon Futurex Lower Parel, Mumbai, India- 400 013.

15.M/s. Netflix Entertainment Services India Rep by its Chief Executive Officer Registered Office at Level 7 4th North Avenue, Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra East, Mumbai, India- 400 051.

16.The Managing Director M/s. Behind Woods No.118E, Velachery Main Road Little Mount, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

17.The Managing Director M/s.Cine Ulagam, No.16, 1st Floor, Rajaji Street, Saidapet, Chennai-600 015.

17.The Managing Direcor

M/s.Galatta Media Private Limited Unit 701, Raheja Towers, Sigma Wing 177, Anna Salai, Nance Salai, Chennai- 600 002. 18.The Managing Director M/s. Tamil Little Talks No.106/3, CSI Kovil Street Chennai-600 127.

19.The Managing Director M/s. India Glitz No.5, TM Durga Main Street, Lloyds Road Krishnapuram, Royapettah Chennai-600 002.

..

Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 herein to form a Board/Regulatory Authority such as Central Board of Film Certificate (CBFC) to censor the contents being uploaded in the Social Medias sites of the respondents 6 to 20 in the form of Short Films, Interviews, Reality Shows, Web Series, Videos or in any other form, consequently restrict the opening of YouTube Channels in the 5th respondent site by forming a regulations such as granting of license/ permission by the board/Authority within a time frame stipulated by this Hon'ble Court.

For the Petitioner : Mr.S.Duganth Sam Abraham For the Respondents : Mr.A.Kumaraguru for Respondents 1 & 2

Mr.P.Muthukumar State Government Pleader for Respondents 3 to 5 Mr.Tejas Karla for Respondents 7 & 8 Mr.C.Arun Kumar for Respondents 11 & 12 Mr.A.K.Ragavulu for Respondent-13 Mr.P.Giridharan for Respondent-15 Mr.A.J.Mohammed Kasim for Respondent 16 No appearance for Respondents 14 & 18

ORDER

(Made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Learned counsel for the petitioner, on instructions, submits that the prayers in the writ petition have become infructuous.

2. In the light of that, the writ petition stands disposed of.

There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, W.M.P.Nos.12382, 16942, 17686 and 12380 of 2020 are closed.

(S.V.G., CJ.) (D.B.C., J.) 12.01.2024 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No kpl To

1. The Secretary to Government Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs North Block, New Delhi- 110 001.

2. The Secretary to Government Government of India Ministry of Information and Technology Department North Block, New Delhi- 110 001.

3. The Chief Secretary to the Government Government of Tamil Nadu Fort St. George, Secretariat Chennai- 600 009.

4. The Secretary to Government Government of India Ministry of Information and Technology Department

Fort St.George, Secretariat Chennai- 600 009.

5. The Director General of Police Dr.RadhaKrishnan Road, Mylapore Chennai- 600 004.

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J (kpl) 12.01.2024