‘Akhanda 2’ premieres: Telangana High Court raps State, BookMyShow; issues contempt notices

Telangana HC initiated contempt proceedings against Home Department Secretary CV Anand and BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani after ‘Akhanda 2’ premiere shows were screened despite an interim suspension. The bench directed both to file explanations ahead of the next hearing

Hyderabad: Justice NV Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Friday came down heavily on the State government and BookMyShow after learning that premiere shows of ‘Akhanda 2’ were screened despite the court’s interim suspension of permissions. The matter was taken up as a lunch-motion.

The judge noted that although the court had earlier put all special-show approvals on hold, screenings were still held across the city. Calling the development a direct affront to judicial orders, the court directed that contempt notices be issued to Home Department Secretary CV Anand and BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani.

---

Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Vijay Gopal argued that the authorities had allowed additional, late-night special shows in violation of existing exhibition rules.

The court had initially suspended these permissions to examine the legality of the government’s approvals. Despite that suspension, reports indicated that the premiere shows went ahead, prompting the bench to initiate contempt proceedings.

Justice Shravan Kumar observed that non-compliance with a clear judicial direction strikes at the authority of the court and cannot be brushed aside. Both the senior official and the platform head have been asked to explain how the screenings were permitted to proceed.

The matter is expected to be taken up again in two weeks, with the contemnors directed to file their responses before the next hearing.