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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Excessive movie ticket pricing: Kerala HC seeks govt's views
Kochi: High court on Tuesday granted two weeks to the state govt to take a clear stand on a petition seeking judicial intervention to regulate alleged profiteering by multiplex operators through excessive ticket pricing. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji adjourned the petition filed by Manu G Nair, a resident of Thiruvarppu in Kottayam, to July 15, and also directed the respondent multiplex theatres to file their affidavits in response to the petition. In his petition, Nair alleged that cinema chains such as PVR, INOX, Cinepolis, Carnival Cinemas and others routinely inflate ticket prices based on factors such as demand, time slot and release status, resulting in exorbitant rates, particularly during the first week of screening. He also noted that several Indian states have introduced legal mechanisms to cap cinema ticket prices and ensure affordability. During the hearing, a senior advocate appearing on behalf of a multiplex theatre submitted that Kerala, too, has regulations governing ticket pricing. He pointed out that Form E under Rule 14 of the Kerala Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1988, stipulates that the maximum rates of admission for different classes in a licensed theatre shall not be increased during the currency of the licence without a written order from the licensing authority permitting such an increase. He further argued that the petitioner had approached HC without first making any representation to the govt, despite the Rule itself providing an avenue for such a representation. In response, the court orally asked the state govt to clarify whether it intended to intervene in the matter. HC then granted two weeks to file an affidavit. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Outline steps planned to tackle inhuman practices like black magic, Kerala HC directs state govt
Kochi: High court on Tuesday directed the state govt to file a detailed affidavit outlining the steps it proposes to take against inhuman practices such as black magic. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamadar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the direction in light of an affidavit submitted by home department deputy secretary, which stated that the council of ministers, on July 5, 2023, had decided not to proceed with the Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery, and Black Magic Bill, 2019. The affidavit further stated that this was a policy decision of the state govt and may not be interfered with by the court. The state made this submission in response to a petition filed by the Kerala Yukthivadhi Sangham, seeking the enforcement of legislation to prohibit black magic, witchcraft, sorcery, and other inhumane practices carried out under the guise of supernatural powers. Upon perusing the affidavit, the division bench orally asked whether the state govt was endorsing such evil practices. While the court agreed with the state's submission that it cannot be compelled to enact legislation on a particular subject, it expressed dissatisfaction with the affidavit, noting that it failed to clarify whether the state had endorsed such practices or had chosen not to eradicate them. You Can Also Check: Kochi AQI | Weather in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi The court further observed that, though it had expected a detailed affidavit, the one submitted merely asserted that no direction could be issued to enact a law. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Stocks for Monthly Dividends Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo Accordingly, the court directed the state to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing its stand on the issue and the steps it proposes to take in the matter. The petition was adjourned to July 15. The petition was filed in 2022 following the twin human sacrifice incident in Pathanamthitta. Subsequently, in April 2024, three individuals — Naveen Thomas and his wife Devi Madhavan, both natives of Kottayam, and their friend Arya Nair from Thiruvananthapuram — were found dead with cut marks on their wrists. It was suspected that they had taken their own lives while engaging in black magic rituals.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala HC seeks state govt's views on demand for legislation against black magic
Kochi: High court has directed the state govt to file an affidavit stating its position on the demand for legislation against inhuman and evil practices, including black magic. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the directive in a petition filed by the Kerala Yukthivadhi Sangham and adjourned the matter to June 24. When the matter was taken up in Oct 2022, the state attorney had submitted that the govt was contemplating legislation on the subject. However, the petitioner pointed out that no further steps had been taken since then. The Sangham urged the enforcement of legislation prohibiting the practice of black magic, witchcraft, sorcery and other inhumane practices carried out under the guise of supernatural powers. The petition was filed in 2022, following the incident of twin human sacrifices in Pathanamthitta. Subsequently, in April 2024, three individuals, Naveen Thomas and his wife Devi Madhavan, both natives of Kottayam, and their friend Arya Nair from Thiruvananthapuram, were found dead with cut marks on their wrists. It was speculated that they had taken their own lives while engaging in black magic rituals. In the petition, the Sangham referred to the 2019 Law Reforms Commission report submitted by Justice K T Thomas, which recommended the enactment of the Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery, and Black Magic Bill, 2019. The petition also sought a declaration that no person shall, either directly or through another, commit, promote, propagate, or practise, or cause to be promoted, propagated, or practised, human sacrifice or other inhuman, evil, and barbaric practices, including black magic.
NDTV
20-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Kerala High Court Asks State If It Contemplates Law Against Black Magic
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has sought the state government's stand regarding its earlier submission that it was contemplating legislation against evil practices like black magic and sorcery. The Kerala government had filed a submission in October 2022 while hearing a plea by an organisation called Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, which had sought the enactment of a law against such practices. The petition was dismissed in June 2023 due to no one representing the petitioner organisation, but was later restored. When the matter came up for hearing before a division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji on June 3, the court directed the government to file an affidavit regarding the state's stand in respect of its earlier position that it was contemplating to enact a law on the subject. The bench posted the matter on June 24. The organisation, in its plea, has stated that the Law Reforms Commission, headed by Justice (retired) KT Thomas, had submitted a comprehensive report to the State of Kerala in the year 2019, with legislative recommendations based on new social conditions. "The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill-2019, is one of the recommended statutes. But so far, no attempt has been made on the part of the state on the matter," the organisation has claimed. The plea was filed in 2022 in the wake of a ritual human sacrifice of two women in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala by three people, including a couple. The petition has claimed that laws against sorcery and black magic have been passed by the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It has also sought a declaration that "films on big screens and OTT platforms, and several serials and other telefilms, aired on television channels and YouTube, having content of superstitious beliefs, including sorcery and occult practices, exempting those having good intentions and having good artistic values, are illegal".
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kerala HC asks state govt if it contemplates law against sorcery, black magic
Kochi, The Kerala High Court has sought the state government's stand regarding its earlier submission that it was contemplating legislation against evil practices like black magic and sorcery. The Kerala government had filed a submission in October 2022 while hearing a plea by an organisation called Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, which had sought the enactment of a law against such practices. The petition was dismissed in June 2023 due to no one representing the petitioner organisation, but was later restored. When the matter came up for hearing before a division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji on June 3, the court directed the government to file an affidavit regarding the state's stand in respect of its earlier position that it was contemplating to enact a law on the subject. The bench posted the matter on June 24. The organisation, in its plea, has stated that the Law Reforms Commission, headed by Justice K T Thomas, had submitted a comprehensive report to the State of Kerala in the year 2019, with legislative recommendations based on new social conditions. "The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill-2019, is one of the recommended statutes. But so far, no attempt has been made on the part of the state on the matter," the organisation has claimed. The plea was filed in 2022 in the wake of a ritual human sacrifice of two women in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala by three people, including a couple. The petition has claimed that laws against sorcery and black magic have been passed by the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It has also sought a declaration that "films on big screens and OTT platforms, and several serials and other telefilms, aired on television channels and YouTube, having content of superstitious beliefs, including sorcery and occult practices, exempting those having good intentions and having good artistic values, are illegal".
