HC to rehear case on certification of 'Thuppaki' after June

The Madras High Court will rehear after June a case relating to the certification of Tamil movie, the Vijay-starrer "Thuppakki".

A division bench comprising justices R Banumathi and K K Sasidharan had earlier recalled its January 28 order directing the Centre to consider a plea for withdrawal of 'U' certificate to the already running film.

It had directed the Centre to treat a representation by one Abdul Rahim, general secretary of a Muslim organisation, as a revision petition under Section 6 (1) of the Cinematograph Act and dispose if of on merits and as per law by March 31.

The bench had taken the matter suo motu and said when it issued its earlier direction, it was not brought to its notice that the Supreme Court in a case had already declared Section 6 (1) as "unconstitutional" on account of formation of an Appellate Tribunal under Section 5-D of the Act.

The bench had ordered issue of notice to Additional Solicitor General and Advocate General to assist the court.

Additional Solicitor General P Wilson today submitted in the court the office memorandum dated February 4 last on the constitution of experts.

Against the backdrop of the row over Kamal Haasan's movie "Vishwaroopam", the Centre constituted a eight-member committee of experts headed by retired high court judge Mukul Mudgal to examine various issues of certification of films under Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Rahim had sought a direction to the Centre and the Censor Board to consider his representation dated November 22 last and withdraw the 'U' certificate issued to "Thuppakki" contending that it did not depict Muslims in good light.

After the office memorandum was submitted, the court adjourned the matter after June next for rehearing.