Arulmanizionraja T v. Central Board of Film Certification

ORDER The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for records pertaining to the order dated

27.02.2024 passed by the respondent bearing CA032912202300024 and to quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondent to issue certificate to the Tamil Film "Samugavirodhi" as suitable for public exhibition.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is the Director-cum-Producer of "Samugavirodhi" Tamil Movie. After making, the petitioner submitted the film before the Examining Committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the Committee viewed the film on 12.01.2014. Certification was subsequently refused, following which the petitioner preferred an appeal before the Revising Committee. The Revising Committee, by way of an order on 27.02.2014, also refused certification on the ground that the film glorifies drug use, misleads young adults into losing faith and confidence in social system by presenting a negative idea, demeans and degrades women throughout the film, glorifies unethical malpractices and depicts a direct replica of living characters and incidents. Aggrieved by the same, the present Writ Petition has been filed. Page2 of 5

¶3However, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that this Court may permit the petitioner to approach the Revising Committee once again. The petitioner expresses readiness to remove the obscene by the Experts of the Revising Committee and, accordingly, he prays for appropriate orders.

¶4The learned Senior Panel Counsel appearing for the respondent would submit that if the petitioner approaches the Revising Committee again, providing an undertaking to remove the obscene as suggested by the Experts, an appropriate order will be passed.

¶5Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both sides, this Court directs the petitioner to approach the Revising Committee afresh by giving an undertaking that he will remove the obscene as suggested by the Experts of the Revising Committee, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The Revising Committee may pass appropriate orders regarding the certification of the petitioner's film within a period of four (4) weeks thereafter. Page3 of 5

¶5With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 12-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Asi To The Regional Officer, Central Board of Film Certification, No.35 Haddows Road, Shastri Bhavan, Chennai 600006. Page4 of 5

M.DHANDAPANI, J. Asi 12-03-2026 Page5 of 5

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Arulmanizionraja T S/o.Thiridasan, No.150 Solomon Nagar, Vella, Arikkambedu, Vellanur, Tiruvallur District 600062. ..Petitioner(s) Vs Central Board of Film Certification Rep. by its Regional Officer, No.35 Haddows Road, Shastri Bhavan, Chennai 600006. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: The Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for records pertaining to the order dated 27.02.2024 passed by the respondent bearing CA032912202300024 and to quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondent to issue certificate to the Tamil Film "Samugavirodhi" as suitable for public exhibition. For Petitioner(s): Mr. R.Thirumoorthy For Respondent(s): Mr. K.S.Jeyaganeshan Senior Panel Counsel Page1 of 5