(Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ petition in public interest has been filed seeking orders suspending the screening of Priyanka Chopra's ''Baywatch'', which, according to the petitioner, has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with ''A'' certificate, that is, only for Adults. The certificate of the CBFC clearing the film has, however, not been enclosed to the writ petition. The petitioner has only enclosed the print outs of downloaded internet version of India Today, which indicate that the film has been cleared with 'A' certificate.
2.According to the petitioner, the film was advertised for the first time yesterday. The petitioner has stated that the film ''Baywatch'' has been advertised in newspaper without indicating that the same has been released with the 'A' certificate.
3.Mr.M.K.Subramanian, learned Government Pleader, who accepts notice for respondent no.4, has drawn our attention to the website for on-line booking of tickets for the film 'Baywatch', which indicates the 'A' certification endorsement.
4.Significantly, in the writ petition, neither the producers nor the distributors nor the owners / operators of the Cinemas have been impleaded as respondents. There are no cogent materials on the basis of which this Court can definitely arrive at the conclusion that persons who are not adults are being allowed entry to the screening of the film. A blanket order suspending the screening of the film not only in this State, but all over India, as prayed for in the writ petition, prima facie, appears to us to be motivated.
5.We are not inclined to pass a blanket order suspending the screening of the film, when, on the face of the averments in the writ petition, the film has been cleared by the CBFC.
6.It appears that only the Commissioner of Police, Chennai, has been impleaded as respondent no.4. We deem it appropriate to add The Director General of Police, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004, as respondent no.5. Memo of parties be amended suitably.
7.We direct respondents 4 and 5 to ensure that persons who are not adults are not permitted entry to the screening of the film ''Baywatch'', if, as contended by the petitioner, the film has, in fact, been cleared with 'A' certificate.
8.Writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. There shall be no order as to costs.
(CJ.) (M.S., J.) 02.06.2017 Index : Yes/No Website : Yes/No Note to Registry:
Issue order copy today itself, after carrying out the necessary amendment.
sra To
1.The Chairperson, Central Board of Film Certification, Films Division Complex, Phase-I Building, 9th Floor, Dr.G.Deshmukh Marg, Mumbai 400 026.
2.The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Room No.552, A Wing Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.
The Hon'ble Chief Justice and M.Sundar, J.
(sra)
3.The Joint Secretary, Joint Secretary Admin, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001.
4.The Commissioner of Police - Greater Chennai, 132, Commissioner Office Bldg., EVK Sampath Road, Vepery, Chennai 600 007.
5.The Director General of Police, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004.
W.P.No.13852 of 2017 02.06.2017 http://www.judis.nic.in