Chennai: The Madras high court on Wednesday directed the city police commissioner to consider and pass orders on or before January 9 on the representations of the distributors of the Tamil film Lingaa, starring Superstar Rajinikanth, which sought to grant permission to conduct a hunger strike on January 10, either at Valluvar Kottam or the government guesthouse or any other place, urging the producer of the film and Rajinikanth to compensate the loss incurred by the distributors and theatre owners on account of the failure of the film.
Justice T.S. Sivagnanam gave the directive while disposing of the petitions from distributors, Marina Pictures, Capricorn Pictures, Vijayabhargavi Entertainment, Subra Films and Chandrakala Movies.
The judge said the special government pleader submitted that the proposed public meeting was against a private person and, therefore, it cannot be decided on merits as to whether the CoP has to consider the request made by the petitioners.
However, the matter has already been decided by the court in the case of E.K. Arjunan, secretary, Ellapalayam People Welfare Sangam, in which the petitioner has sought permission to hold a fast against a private person/company. The police had objected to the prayer stating that it was for a private cause which cannot be converted into a public cause and, therefore, the question of granting permission does not arise.
While rejecting the objection, the court, by a December 22, 2014 order, had directed the police to grant permission to the petitioner stating that there was nothing that prevents individuals and organisations from taking issues to the public to create awareness.
In the light of the above, the reasoning cannot be a reason to throw out the petitions. “Since the representations made by the petitioners are pending before the CoP, I hereby direct the CoP to consider the petitioners’ request on merits and pass orders in accordance with law on or before January 9 by 11 am,” the judge added.
