P SAMPATHKUMAR Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner seeks a writ of Mandamus to forbear the respondents from interfering with the petitioner's lawful business of exhibiting 16MM films in the places other than the "public places" and "streets", contending that the exhibition of 16MM films in places other than public places and streets is not prohibited in view of the amendment to Rule 119 of the Tamil Nadu Cinemas Regulations Rules, 1957 (for brevity "the Rules"), vide G.O.Ms.No.2172 dated 31.8.1979. The amended Rule 119 of the Rules reads as follows:

(2.) Emphasizing on the words "the licensing authority shall not permit exhibition of feature films in streets and public places", the learned counsel for the petitioner contends that no such permission is required for exhibiting the feature films in the private places.

(3.) I am unable to appreciate the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner in view of Rules 116, 117 and 118 of the Rules, which deal with cinema exhibitions in educational or industrial establishments and in the open air, whether it is in private place or public place. Rules 116, 117 and 118 of the Rules read as follows: