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Synopsis

In a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to the State authorities to regulate fan shows for films, their trailers etc, the State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah, on Friday last week, informed the Madras High Court that the Principal Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department has recently issued direction to the police to frame Standard Operating Procedure for regulating such events. 

The PP placed a communication dated October 19, 2023 before the court issued by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, wherein, directions were given for formulation of the SOP for regulating the mega programmes/events like conducting public concerts, launch of audio/trailer of new movies, releasing of new movies etc., in order to maintain public order and tranquillity and to avoid untoward incidents.

Talking note of the same, the division bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice D Bhartha Chakravarthy said that "it hoped that the steps would be taken as it is mentioned in the said letter, expeditiously.

Regarding the PIL petition, court noted that the petitioner could not demonstrate how he was affected by the issue. Therefore, it disposed of the same with no order as to costs.

The PIL plea was filed by one Ayyaa under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus, directing the Department of Information and Publicity Film Technology and Cinematograph and the District Collector, Tirunelveli District to regulate the fan shows for main films as well as trailers in all theatres in Tirunelveli District along with other theatres in Tamil Nadu based on his representation dated February 11, 2023 as expeditiously as possible.

Case Title: Ayyaa v. The State and Others