HC rejects plea for contempt over ticket prices for new films

The Madras High Court today dismissed a petition seeking initiation of contempt proceedings over alleged collection of excessive amount by theatres for newly released films in Tamil Nadu, observing that there was no violation of its recent order on the matter.
After hearing the submission of the government counsel, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M M Sundresh dismissed the petition seeking punishment to authorities concerned for 'wilful disobedience' of the court's March 17 order.
There was no violation of the order much less any wilful disobedience, the bench observed.
Petitioner G Devarajan alleged that the authorities had not implemented the court's directives, including setting up special teams to monitor ticket pricing in theatres.

Rejecting the petitioner's contentions, counsel for the government and other authorities, including the city Police Commissioner, produced various documents and said the matter of pricing of tickets had received attention even before the March 17 order.
They said special teams had been constituted for each district, officers nominated to receive complaints and their telephone numbers had also been provided.