Jana Nayagan Censor Controversy Lands in Supreme Court
The legal battle over the censor certificate for the film Jana Nayagan has now reached India's highest judicial authority. The Supreme Court may hear the special leave petition this Thursday, which coincides with the Pongal festival. This development adds another layer to the ongoing dispute that has delayed the movie's much-anticipated release.
Supreme Court Proceedings Begin Without Mention
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant commenced its daily proceedings. However, no specific mention was made of the Jana Nayagan petition during the initial session. The petition did not appear on the official cause list as regular cases proceeded according to schedule.
Despite this, the Supreme Court Registry has formally numbered the special leave petition after reviewing and accepting the submitted papers. This administrative step has raised expectations among legal observers that the matter could receive an early hearing date.
Pongal Release Plans Disrupted
Jana Nayagan was originally scheduled for a grand Pongal release on January 9th. The film marks actor Vijay's final project before his full transition into active politics. However, these plans encountered a significant obstacle when the Central Board of Film Certification failed to issue the required censor certificate in time for the festive release.
This delay prompted the movie producers to approach the Madras High Court. They sought a judicial directive that would compel the CBFC to certify the film immediately. Hearing their plea, single judge Justice B.D. Asha ordered the certification board to issue a U/A certificate without further delay. This ruling appeared to clear the path for the film's theatrical release.
High Court Division Bench Intervenes
The situation took another turn within hours of the single judge's order. The CBFC moved quickly to challenge this decision before a division bench of the Madras High Court. Chief Justice M.M. Srivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan heard the board's arguments and subsequently issued a stay order on the earlier ruling.
The division bench then decided to postpone further hearings in the case until January 21st. This judicial pause effectively delayed the film's release once again, casting fresh uncertainty over its festival debut.
Producers Escalate to Supreme Court
In response to the division bench's interim stay, the film's production house has now approached the Supreme Court with an urgent appeal. They are challenging the High Court's decision that halted the certification process.
Simultaneously, the CBFC has filed a caveat before the apex court. This legal precaution requests that no orders be passed without first hearing the certification board's arguments. Legal sources familiar with the matter suggest the case could be listed for hearing either on Thursday or January 15th, since January 14th is a court holiday.
Political Reactions Intensify
The controversy has attracted significant political attention within Tamil Nadu. Several political figures have publicly criticized the censor board's handling of the Jana Nayagan certification. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has openly slammed the CBFC's approach toward the film, adding a political dimension to the legal proceedings.
The Supreme Court's decision on this matter will determine whether Jana Nayagan can finally reach theaters during the festive season or face further postponement.
