JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH W.P.No.22844 of 2017 and W.M.P.No.25472 of 2017 3.In the considered view of this Court, when the Government has fixed a rate which is revised from time to time, the theatre owners cannot fleece the movie goers by collecting excess amount from them. Hence, whenever any such practise is followed by the theatres particularly, after the release of a new film, the Committee constituted by the Government shall take steps to initiate action against the concerned theatre owner and direct refund of excess amount collected. They shall also act upon any complaints that is received in this regard. 4.This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No Costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 09.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH

W.P.No.22844 of 2017 and W.M.P.No.25472 of 2017

G.Devarajan   … Petitioner

Vs.

1.The Special Tahsildar

Chief Minister’s Special Cell, The Government of Tamil nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.

2.The Additional Cheif Secretary, Home Department,

The Government of Tamil nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.

3.The Additional Cheif Secretary to Government,

Spl Team – Cinema

Commissionerate of Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

4.The Principal Secretary to Government,

Spl Team – Cinema

Commissioner of Commercial,

Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

5.The Commissioner,

Head of the all District Collector Commissionerate of Revenue Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

6.The District Collector,

District Collectorate,

Hosur Salai, Krishnagiri 635 115.

7.The District Collector,

District Collectorate,

Frist Agraharam, Salem 636 001

8.The District Collector,

District Collectorate,

RMS Road, Pandi Bazar, Madurai 625 001.

9.The District Collector, District Collectorate,

Kancheepuram 631 501.

10.The District Collector, District Collectorate, Tiruvallur 625 001.

11.The District Collector

Vellore District Collectorate, Vellore- 632 009

12.The District Collector

District Collectorate, Hosur Salai, Krishnagiri- 635 115

13.The District Collector

District Collectorate, Kokirakulam, Tirunelveli- 627 009

14.The Police Commissioner

Spl Team – Cinema, New Police Commissioner Office, Chennai-600007

15.The Proprietor / Manager

Apsara Theatre, Poonthottam, Krishnagiri- 635 001

16.The Proprietor / Manager

KS Theatre, 6, Sankari main Road, Linemedu, Gugai, Salem, Tamil Nadu-636 006

17.The Proprietor / Manager

Vase Theatre, Dr Besant Rd, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu- 612 001

18.The Proprietor / Manager

Amirtham Cinema Theatre, Kovil Bus Stop, South Veli Street, Madurai TN 625 001

19.The Proprietor / Manager

Jaya Cinema Threatre, New Natham Road, Reserve Police Lines, Madurai TN 625 014

20.The Proprietor / Manager

Rakki cinema Theatre, 1 Red Hills Road, Ambattur, Chennai-53

21.The Proprietor / Manager

Meenakshi Cinema Theatre, OCF Main Road, Avadi, Chennai-54

22.The Proprietor / Manager

Murugan Cinema Threatre, 10 O.V.Alagesan Nagar, Ambattur Chennai-53

23.The Proprietor / Manager

Maharani Threatre, 8/762, Thiruvottiyur High Road, Washermanpet, Chennai-21

24.The Proprietor / Manager

Nadhamuni Threatre, MTH Road, Villvakkam, Chennai-49

25.The Proprietor / Manager

Sri Shanmuga Theatre, GNT Road, Moolakadai, Chennai-118

26.The Proprietor / Manager

Bharath Theatre, 40 Dr.Vijayaraghavalu Road, Old Washermenpet, Chennai-21

27.The Proprietor / Manager

C3 Laurel Mall & Theatre, 6 GST Road, Mamandur, Chennai – 603 111.

28.The Proprietor / Manager

Rohini Cinema Theatre, 141/2PH Road, Koyembedu, Chennai – 107

29.The Proprietor / Manager

SSR Pankajam Theatre, 32, Arunachalam Road, Saligrammam, Chennai -93

30.The Proprietor / Manager

SRK cinema Theatre, 35/36, Kanchipuram High Road, JCK Nagar, Chengalpattu – 603 101.

31.The Proprietor / Manager

Ganesh Cinema Theatre, Mannerswamy Street, Kaputhur, Chennai-70.

32.The Proprietor / Manager

Raj Theatre, 20, Abdul Razack St, Saidapet, Chennai-15.

33.The Proprietor / Manager

Sri Venkateswara Theatre, SPH Road, Thiruvallur – 602 002.

34.The Proprietor / Manager

Kasi Theatre, Jawarlal Nehru Salai, Ashok Nagar, Chennai -83

35.The Proprietor / Manager

Sk Marlen Cinemas Theatre, 18, Appavu mudali Street, Alandur , Chennai 16

36.The Proprietor / Manager

Parimalam Cinemas Theatre, (Silver Screen), Ondi Colony, Porur Main Road, Chennai 69

37.The Proprietor / Manager

Abirami Cinemas Theatre, Purasaiwakkam High Road, Chennai 10

38.The Proprietor / Manager

Venus Theatre, 25A, Officers Line , Vellore 632 001

39.The Proprietor / Manager

Thirumalai Theatre, Otter arts College Road, Vellore 02

40.The Proprietor / Manager

Geethalay Theatre, Tiruvangadam , Sankaran koil , Tirunelveli 627 756

41.The Proprietor / Manager

Galax Cinema Theatre, Muthamizh Nagar, Katpadi, Vellore 632 002

42.The Proprietor / Manager

Jothi Theatre, St. Thomas Mount,

Chennai 16                … Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 14 herein to take action against the cinema theatre owners in Chennai and Tamil Nadu whom going to collect excessive ticket charges through showing the 1st four days new movies such as “Vivegam” etc. and to stop such cheating practice of Respondents 15 to 42 cinema theatre owners by collecting more than the government fixed Movie ticket charges and excess ticket costs, and to return the excess money charged over the cinema ticket charges fixed by the Government.

                            For Petitioner          :  Mr.G.Devarajan

                            For Respondents     :  Mr.E.Vijay Anand

             Additional Government Pleader              for R1 to R14

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed for issue of writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 to 4 to take action against the cinema theatre owners in Chennai who collect excessive ticket charges during the initial days after the release of new movies and to stop this practice of fleecing the theatre goers by collecting higher charges than what is fixed by the Government.

2.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents submitted that the respondents are continuously monitoring the collection of charges by the cinema theatres and that a Committee has already formed in this regard which jointly inspects the theatres and recommends for taking action whenever there is violation. To substantiate the same, the counter filed by the 14^th respondent was brought to the notice of this Court.

3.In the considered view of this Court, when the Government has fixed a rate which is revised from time to time, the theatre owners cannot fleece the movie goers by collecting excess amount from them. Hence, whenever any such practise is followed by the theatres particularly, after the release of a new film, the Committee constituted by the Government shall take steps to initiate action against the concerned theatre owner and direct refund of excess amount collected. They shall also act upon any complaints that is received in this regard.

4.This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No Costs.

Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

09.06.2025

Internet    : Yes / No

Index : Yes / No

Speaking Order / Non Speaking Order

Neutral Citation : Yes / No

ssr

To

1.The Special Tahsildar

Chief Minister’s Special Cell, The Government of Tamil nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.

2.The Additional Cheif Secretary, Home Department, The Government of Tamil nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.

3.The Additional Cheif Secretary to Government,

Spl Team – Cinema

Commissionerate of Land Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

4.The Principal Secretary to Government,

Spl Team – Cinema Commissioner of Commercial, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

5.The Commissioner,

Head of the all District Collector Commissionerate of Revenue Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

6.The District Collector,

District Collectorate,

Hosur Salai, Krishnagiri 635 115.

7.The District Collector,

District Collectorate,

Frist Agraharam, Salem 636 001

8.The District Collector,

District Collectorate,

RMS Road, Pandi Bazar, Madurai 625 001.

9.The District Collector, District Collectorate,

Kancheepuram 631 501.

10.The District Collector, District Collectorate, Tiruvallur 625 001.

11.The District Collector

Vellore District Collectorate, Vellore- 632 009

12.The District Collector

District Collectorate, Hosur Salai, Krishnagiri- 635 115

13.The District Collector

District Collectorate, Kokirakulam, Tirunelveli- 627 009

14.The Police Commissioner

Spl Team – Cinema, New Police Commissioner Office, Chennai-600007

N. ANAND VENKATESH, J.

ssr

W.P.No.22844 of 2017 and W.M.P.No.25472 of 2017

09.06.2025