`Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu’: Telangana HC seeks details of ₹42 Cr collected from Chiranjeevi movie ticket price hike
Government Pleader Mahesh Raje objected to the Home Department Principal Secretary being arraigned as a respondent in his personal capacity in one of the petitions.
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: Telangana High Court on Friday directed the state government and GST authorities to submit detailed information on Rs 42 crore allegedly collected through the enhanced ticket rates for Chiranjeevi-starrer Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar took up the petitions filed by advocate Paduri Srinivas Reddy and another petitioner, who contended that the government had violated court orders by permitting higher ticket rates and that the amount collected should be recovered.
Challenge to memo allowing ticket hike
Appearing for the petitioners, counsel argued that the memo issued on January 8 permitting an increase in ticket prices was illegal and contrary to earlier court directions.
They urged the court to quash the memo and order that the excess amount collected be deposited either in the State Consolidated Fund or with the High Court Legal Services Authority.
According to the petitioners, ticket prices for special shows were fixed at Rs 600, while regular shows saw an increase of Rs 50 in single-screen theatres and Rs 100 in multiplexes for a week, resulting in alleged additional collections of Rs 42 crore.
Government objection and withdrawal of one petition
During the hearing, Government Pleader Mahesh Raje objected to the Home Department Principal Secretary being arraigned as a respondent in his personal capacity in one of the petitions. Following the objection, the petitioner concerned withdrew that petition.
Notices issued to respondents
After hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to the Home Department Principal Secretary, Shine Screen Entertainments India LLP, Gold Box Entertainments, director Anil Ravipudi, distributor Dil Raju, BookMyShow, and other respondents.
The court also directed the state government and GST authorities to submit detailed information on the Rs 42 crore allegedly collected through the enhanced ticket rates.
Hearing adjourned
The matter has been adjourned to February 3 for further hearing.
