'Jana Nayagan' censor certification row: Producers withdraw petition in Madras HC
Chennai (PTI): The Madras High Court on Tuesday permitted the producers of Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan', starring actor-turned-politician Vijay, to withdraw their petition, which sought a direction to the CBFC to grant a censor certificate to the film.
Justice P T Asha, before whom the petition came up for hearing, granted permission to M/s KVN Productions LLP, producers of the movie, to withdraw the petition.
The judge dismissed the petition as "withdrawn".
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The judge on January 9 allowed the petition filed by M/s KVN Productions LLP and gave a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a censor certificate forthwith.
The judge had also quashed a communication dated January 5 of the Regional Officer, informing the producers of the film that based on a complaint, the Chairperson of the Censor Board had referred the matter to the revising committee.
However, on the same day, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan stayed her order on an appeal filed by CBFC.
After hearing elaborate arguments from both sides, the bench on January 20 reserved orders on the appeal.
Allowing the appeal, the bench on January 27, set aside the order of a single judge, which directed the CBFC to grant forthwith the censor certificate to the film. However, the bench instead of dismissing the writ petition, gave an opportunity to the producers of the movie to suitably amend the prayer in the petition and restored the petition to its original records and file.
The bench had said, if the respondent (producers) suitably amends the writ petition, the Single Judge may grant reasonable opportunity to the appellants (CBFC) to file counter affidavit and thereafter, the parties may pray for expeditious disposal of the writ petition on its own merits.
"We make it clear that it will be open for the Single Judge to decide whether or not the decision to refer the film for examination of the Revising Committee was in accordance with law or not," the bench added.
On December 22, the producer received a communication from the Regional Officer from Chennai informing that the 5-member examining committee, which viewed the film had recommended for screening of the movie and issuance of censor certificate. Thereafter, based on a complaint from one of the members of the examining committee, the Chairperson had decided to put on hold the December 22 communication and referred the matter to the revising committee. This was communicated to the producer of the movie on January 5.
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Crow deaths in Dindigul: Residents worry, officials rule out health risk
Dindigul (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Residents of Vedasandur in the district raised apprehensions over the crow deaths that have been reported over the last few days, sources said.
However, a health official on Tuesday said that there were not so many deaths as reported in the media and allayed concerns of bird flu.
While there have been deaths of one or two crows during the recent past, on February 8 alone, about six to seven crows died, leading to some anxious moments among the public, as it may be due to bird flu.
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The Vedasandur taluk in the district is home to several decade-old trees, including neem, tamarind and peepal, attracting large number of birds such as mynas, crows and cuckoos, officials said.
"There have been deaths of one or two crows. But it is not as mentioned in some media reports of over 100. On February 8, there were about six to seven crow deaths. We got information about the dead crows. We collected them and buried them," the official told PTI.
Responding to a query, he said, "There is no need for the public to worry about health. We have informed the veterinarians who have collected some samples (from the dead crows) and are investigating the cause of deaths."
On February 6, Tamil Nadu government sounded an alert following reports of crow deaths in various parts of the state, triggering concerns over a potential outbreak of avian influenza.
The Department of Animal Husbandry has directed its officials to intensify surveillance and step up vigil to detect any unusual sickness or mortality among crows, migratory birds and commercial poultry.
Director of Public Health, Dr A Somasundaram, told PTI on February 6 that the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has also released a separate communication, appealing to the public to follow strict safety protocols.
