Madras HC sends Jana Nayagan-CBFC case back to single judge
The Madras High Court has made a significant decision in the ongoing case between the makers of Thalapathy Vijay’s upcoming film, Jana Nayagan, and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In a recent development, the division bench of the court has set aside a single judge’s order that directed the CBFC to grant a U/A 16+ certificate to the film. Instead, the matter has been sent back to the single judge for fresh consideration, allowing the makers to amend their plea and challenge the CBFC chairperson’s order.
This decision comes as a significant setback for the film’s makers, who were hoping to secure a U/A 16+ certificate for Jana Nayagan. The CBFC had earlier refused to grant the certificate, citing certain objections to the film’s content. The makers had then approached the Madras High Court, seeking relief and challenging the CBFC’s decision.
The single judge’s order, which was passed earlier, had directed the CBFC to grant the U/A 16+ certificate to Jana Nayagan. However, the CBFC had appealed against this order, arguing that the single judge had exceeded his jurisdiction and that the order was passed without considering the objections raised by the board.
The division bench, while setting aside the single judge’s order, observed that the single judge had indeed exceeded his jurisdiction. The bench noted that the single judge had passed the order without considering the objections raised by the CBFC and without giving the board an opportunity to respond to the allegations made by the film’s makers.
The division bench has now sent the matter back to the single judge, directing him to hear the case expeditiously and allowing the makers to amend their plea and challenge the CBFC chairperson’s order. This means that the film’s makers will have to start the process all over again, and the CBFC will have to reconsider its decision to refuse the U/A 16+ certificate.
The decision of the Madras High Court is significant, as it highlights the importance of following the proper procedure in cases involving film certification. The CBFC, as a statutory body, has the authority to grant or refuse certificates to films, and its decisions are subject to judicial review. However, the courts must also ensure that the CBFC follows the proper procedure and considers all relevant factors before making a decision.
In this case, the single judge’s order was seen as an attempt to interfere with the CBFC’s decision-making process, and the division bench has rightly set aside the order. By sending the matter back to the single judge, the division bench has ensured that the film’s makers will have to follow the proper procedure and that the CBFC will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations made against it.
The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the film industry, as it has significant implications for the certification process. The CBFC’s decision to refuse the U/A 16+ certificate to Jana Nayagan was seen as a setback for the film’s makers, and the court’s decision will determine the fate of the film.
The film, Jana Nayagan, is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year, and the certification issue has been a major concern for the film’s makers. The film’s star, Thalapathy Vijay, is one of the most popular actors in the Tamil film industry, and the film is expected to be a major blockbuster.
The certification process is an important aspect of the film industry, as it determines the suitability of a film for different age groups. The CBFC, as the statutory body responsible for film certification, has the authority to grant or refuse certificates to films based on their content.
In recent years, there have been several instances of films facing certification issues, and the CBFC has been criticized for its decisions. The film industry has argued that the CBFC’s decisions are often arbitrary and that the board does not follow a consistent approach to certification.
The Madras High Court’s decision in the Jana Nayagan case is a significant development, as it highlights the importance of following the proper procedure in cases involving film certification. The court’s decision will have implications for the film industry, and it will be closely watched by filmmakers and industry experts.
In conclusion, the Madras High Court’s decision to set aside the single judge’s order and send the Jana Nayagan-CBFC case back to the single judge is a significant development. The decision highlights the importance of following the proper procedure in cases involving film certification and ensures that the CBFC follows a consistent approach to certification. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the film industry, and it will have significant implications for the certification process.
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