In a huge setback for Vijay-starrer tamil film Jana Nayagan, the Supreme Court on Thursday declined to interfere at this stage on a plea filed by the producer of the film and instead directed them to pursue remedies before the Madras High Court.
The top court asked the producer, M/s KVN Productions, to place its arguments before the division bench of the Madras High Court, which is already seized of the matter.
Taking note of the urgency expressed by the petitioner, the Supreme Court also requested the High Court’s division bench to hear the plea on January 20. The petition before the Supreme Court arose from an ongoing dispute related to the release and exhibition of ‘Jana Nayagan’.
The producer had sought the apex court’s intervention against proceedings pending before the Madras High Court, contending that immediate relief was required to prevent irreparable loss.
However, the Supreme Court made it clear that it was not inclined to bypass the High Court at this stage. Observing that the matter was already under consideration by a division bench of the Madras High Court, the apex court held that judicial propriety required the petitioner to exhaust remedies before the High Court first.
“We are not inclined to interfere at this stage,” the Bench said, while clarifying that all contentions raised by the producer were left open to be argued before the High Court.
The Supreme Court also refrained from making any observations on the merits of the dispute, ensuring that the High Court could independently assess the issues without being influenced by the apex court’s order.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatagi, appearing for the producer, urged the court to ensure an early hearing, citing commercial and contractual implications linked to the film’s release. Acknowledging the concern, the Supreme Court requested the Madras High Court division bench to take up the matter on January 20.
The order effectively reinforces the Supreme Court’s consistent approach of discouraging premature invocation of its jurisdiction when a High Court is already examining the dispute.
With the apex court stepping aside for now, all eyes will be on the Madras High Court division bench, which is expected to hear the producer’s plea next week and determine the course of the dispute surrounding Jana Nayagan.
