State Shall Continue With Monitoring Of Ticket Collection: Madras HC On Plea Alleging Excess Ticket Charges Collected By Cinema Theaters

The Madras High Court has directed the State to continue with the measures for monitoring of ticket collection over the claims of excess ticket charges collected by cinema theatre owners in Chennai and Tamil Nadu.

“The State shall continue with the measures for monitoring of ticket collection. A suitable decision also be taken on the fate of excess charges found to have been collected by the cinema theatres.”, Justice Anita Sumanth directed.

The Court was dealing with three writ petitions seeking a direction to take action against cinema theatre owners in Chennai and Tamil Nadu who allegedly collected excess ticket charges upon the release of three specific movies namely Bairavaa, Singham–III and Kabali.

Petitioner had appeared in person whereas R. Silambannan, Additional Advocate General, appeared for Respondents.

The same petitioner had filed a petition earlier seeking directions to take action against the cinema theatre owners, in Tamil Nadu who collected excessive ticket charges.

The Court had then directed for the constitution of a special team to monitor the aspects of such violations.

According to the petitioner, the respondents continue to be remiss in controlling the menace that he alleges and hence these writ petitions were filed by the petitioner.

The Court had sought Status reports from the respondents to the present state of the offences alleged by the petitioner. The Court observed that as per the submissions necessary action has been taken as against errant cinema theatres.

The Court reiterated the contents of its earlier orders on the same issue.

“The contents of orders dated 17.03.2016 and 19.06.2017 are reiterated.”, the Court held while directing the State to take a suitable decision on the fate of excess charges.

“As on date, the excess charges are retained by the theatre owners and the State only imposes a penalty for the violations detected.”, the Court noted while closing the petitions.

Cause Title- G.Devarajan v. Chief Secretary & Ors.

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