V.Gowthaman v. The Central Board Of Film Certificate

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 29.04.2025 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.No.18909 of 2025 V.Gowthaman ..

Petitioner Vs.

1.The Central Board of Film Certification Shastri Bhavan, 35 - Haddows Road Chennai - 600 006.

2.Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Room No.552 A Wing, Shastri Bhawan New Delhi - 110 001.

3.D.Bala Murali, IAS Regional Officer for CBFC, Chennai.

(R3 deleted as per the order of this Court dated 29.04.2025 made in W.P.No.16703 of 2025) .. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to grant permission to

release of the film and further direct the respondents to pay to the petitioners compensation quantified at Rs.5 Lakhs within a period of one month as they have lost considerable amount of money due to late screening and pass such further or other order.

For the Petitioner : Mr.R.Prabhakaran For the Respondents : Mr.R.Srinivasa Murthy CGSC for RR1 & 2

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed for a mandamus directing the respondents to grant permission to release the film and further direct the respondents to pay the petitioner's compensation quantified at Rs.5 lakh within a period of one month as they have lost considerable amount of money, due to late screening.

2. When the matter came up for admission Mr.Prabhakaran, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner would submit that when the petitioner has completed the film and sent the same for certification to the 1st respondent, they have asked for certain queries and the queries have been

replied. The Central Board of Film Certification cannot arbitrarily direct the removal of any scene as it pleases. It is his further contention that the tentative release of the movie is on 23.05.2025.

3. Per contra, Mr.R.Srinivasa Murthy, the learned Central Government Standing Counsel taking notice on behalf the respondents would submit that after making the query, the report has now been forwarded to the head office, being the appropriate authority, in respect of passing orders with reference to certification.

4. Therefore this Writ Petition is disposed of at the admission stage itself, without adjudicating any of the allegations that is made by the petitioner, on the following terms, (i) Since the petitioner has fixed the date of release as 23.05.2025 the 1st respondent - Board shall consider the issue of certifying the film of the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible, in any event not later than 20.05.2025 and pass orders in accordance with law;

(ii) No costs. Consequently, the associated miscellaneous petition is closed.

29.04.2025 : Yes/No Jer To 1.The Central Board of Film Certification Shastri Bhavan, 35 - Haddows Road Chennai - 600 006.

2.Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Room No.552 A Wing, Shastri Bhawan New Delhi - 110 001.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

Jer 29.04.2025