Ts High Court issues contempt notices over ‘Akhanda 2’ premieres
HYDERABAD: Justice NV Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Friday criticised the state government and BookMyShow after learning that premiere shows of Akhanda 2 were screened despite the court’s interim suspension of permissions. The matter was taken up as a lunch-motion.
Court questions violation of interim suspension
The judge noted that although the court had put all special-show approvals on hold, screenings were held across Hyderabad. Terming the development a direct breach of judicial orders, the court ordered issuance of contempt notices to Home Department Secretary CV Anand and BookMyShow chief executive Ashish Hemrajani.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Vijay Gopal argued that authorities had cleared additional late-night shows in violation of exhibition rules in force.
Bench initiates contempt proceedings
The court had suspended the permissions to examine the legality of the government’s approvals. Despite the suspension, reports indicated that the premiere shows went ahead, prompting the bench to initiate contempt proceedings.
Justice Shravan Kumar observed that non-compliance with a clear directive strikes at the authority of the court and cannot be ignored. Both the senior official and the platform head have been directed to explain how the screenings were allowed to proceed.
Replies sought within two weeks
The matter will be taken up again in two weeks, with the contemnors directed to file their responses before the next hearing.
