Swarna Shukla-
Published On: November 11, 2021 at 20:56 IST
Madras High Court dismissed a Writ Petition filed for quashing the Government Order that permitted 100% occupancy in cinema theater and multiplexes.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P.D Audikesavalu observed that the pandemic might not have gone away, but the number of Cases has surely subsided, and there is ‘No alarm of an immediate third Surge’.
The Bench opined that Courts will be reluctant to interfere with Administrative actions unless any adverse effect of such action can be shown by the concerned persons. The Court cannot rely on mere insinuations to put a spanner in the works of Administrative decisions.
The Bench stated, “Unless the Petitioner is able to bring some cogent material which demonstrates the adverse effect of the impugned administrative action, the Court cannot go on the insinuation or the innuendo and interdict an Administrative Order passed by an appropriate Authority.”
The Petitioner argued that no Standard Operating Procedure has been mentioned in the Government Order even when it allows the complete opening up of cinema halls.
Further, the Petitioner Submitted that the film industry has been unduly favored over other industries with the lock down being lifted completely.
While dismissing the Writ Petition, the Court requested the Government to reconsider its Decision with respect to any particular locality or town depending on the further surge in Covid-19 Cases.
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