Bombay HC quashes orders putting curbs on elderly film, TV artistes

The bench, however, said that “all other advisories applicable for all persons above 65 years of age, will be applicable for those above 65 years of age working in the film and TV industry.”

August 07, 2020 12:41 pm | Updated 12:41 pm IST - Mumbai

The court had questioned why the State restricted only TV and film artistes, while permitted those above 65 years of age in other sectors to go to work, sit at their shops among others.

The court had questioned why the State restricted only TV and film artistes, while permitted those above 65 years of age in other sectors to go to work, sit at their shops among others.

The Bombay High Court on Friday quashed two government resolutions issued by the Maharashtra government that barred film and TV artistes and crew members above 65 years of age, from going to work to studios or outdoor sets during the COVID-19 -induced lockdown.

A bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and RI Chagla set aside the GRs (government resolutions) issued on May 30 and June 23 by the State government.

Also Read | ‘Why keep 65+ artistes away from sets?’

The bench, however, said that “all other advisories applicable for all persons above 65 years of age, will be applicable for those above 65 years of age working in the film and TV industry.”

The bench’s judgement came in two petitions, one by film and TV artist Pramod Pandey, 70, and another by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association, filed through advocate Ashok Saorogi.

Both petitioners had challenged the state resolutions issued under its ;Mission Begin Again’ initiative that barred TV and film cast and crew from sets and studious.

The Maharashtra government had earlier told the bench that the restriction had been issued out of “benevolence” and was meant for the artistes’ own good since stepping outside during the coronavirus pandemic would put them at risk of contracting the disease.

Also Read | Film, TV bodies resolve issues; shooting all set for resumption

The court, however, had questioned why the state restricted only TV and film artistes, while permitted those above 65 years of age in other sectors to go to work, sit at their shops among others.

It had said that the state’s decision seemed like a case of “discrimination.”

The bench had also said at the time that a person could not be deprived of his or her livelihood.

Senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani, appointed as amicus curiae in the case to assist the court, had earlier told the bench that the state’s restrictions had been imposed upon film and tv artistes without due application of mind, and without any basis in law.

A detailed judgement of the court is likely to come later in the day.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.