Supreme Court Declines to Hear ‘Jana Nayagan’ Producers’ Plea, Asks Madras High Court to Decide Certification Issue

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to intervene in the certification dispute surrounding the Tamil film Jana Nayagan and directed the Madras High Court to decide the matter expeditiously.

A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih refused to entertain a petition filed by the film’s producers seeking immediate relief against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court noted that the issue is already pending before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court and observed that there was no reason for the Supreme Court to step in at this stage.

The apex court asked the Madras High Court to hear and decide the case by January 20, emphasizing that the producers could raise all their grievances before the High Court.

The legal dispute relates to the CBFC’s delay in granting a censor certificate to Jana Nayagan, a high-profile Tamil film starring actor Vijay. Earlier, a single judge of the Madras High Court had directed the CBFC to issue certification after certain modifications. However, that order was stayed by a Division Bench of the same court, prompting the producers to approach the Supreme Court.

With the Supreme Court declining to grant relief, the matter will now be conclusively examined by the Madras High Court. Until a final decision is taken, the film’s release remains uncertain.

Description -The Supreme Court of India has declined to intervene in the ongoing certification dispute concerning the Tamil film Jana Nayagan and directed the Madras High Court to decide the matter expeditiously. The bench, comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih, refused to entertain a petition by the film’s producers seeking immediate relief against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), noting that the issue is already pending before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court. The apex court instructed the High Court to hear and resolve the case by January 20, emphasizing that the producers could raise all grievances before it. The dispute arose from the CBFC’s delay in granting a censor certificate after a single-judge order, which was later stayed by a Division Bench. With the Supreme Court declining relief, the Madras High Court will now conclusively decide the film’s certification and release.