'Jana Nayagan' Movie Case : Live Updates From Madras High Court Hearing | CBFC Appeal against Vijay's Film

ASG: Apart from the members from the examining committee, an expert may also be called.

ASG refers to Rule 10 which deals with the procedure followed by examining committee 

CJ: So what does the board do after that?

ASG takes the court through the provisions of the Act

CJ: It may not be practical for the Board at Bombay to sit and examine every movie. So these advisory panel is there to assist the Board. But their recommendation is not binding?

ASG: Yes your honour. It's not binding. 

CJ: Their argument would be that the board said it'll certify and then took a different decision. So we want to understand who were the people who saw the movie?

ASG: It's the examining committee which saw the movie

ASG: What has happened in this case, the letter was issued by the advisory panel.

CJ: Now the crucial question is who saw the movie? Were they members of the board?

ASG: They were members of the examining committee, who are part of advisory panel. 

CJ: So this advisory panel is not the same as a board? It's for assisting the board? Since it might not be possible for board to examine movie from all over the country

ASG: Yes, my lord

ASG takes the court through the provisions of the Cinematograph Act which details the powers & functions of regional officer

Court says it just wants to understand the statutory scheme. 

ASG explains that the recommendation are sent to the Board which then takes a decision to certify or not certify the movie.

CJ: The body which sent the letter to the producers, was it the advisory panel or board itself?

ASG: It was the regional office

CJ: The regional office is at Chennai and the decision came from?

ASG: the board. From Bombay

ASG: After this, they say we have cut the 14 incision and therefore please grant certification. But what has happened in the meanwhile is, from the board a communication is sent saying they have received a complaint. The board asks regional office to put the decision on hold.