Film shooting by Sri Lankan, HC impleads I&B Ministry

The Madras High Court today impleaded the Union Ministry of Broadcasting as a respondent in a petition by a Sri Lankan Tamil staying in a refugee camp here seeking a direction to the police to permit him to shoot a short film.
Johnson has said in his petition that he wants to participate in a short film competition in London for which he wants to shoot a film at Pulicat near here.
He has submitted that when he went with the inmates to the shooting spot, an Inspector of Thirupalaivanam Police Station in Thiruvallur district prevented him from shooting and directed him to get necessary permission from higher police officials.

Johnson said when he approached the Superintendent of Police of Thiruvallur the official told him that refugees cannot be permitted to shoot films without permission from concerned officials, following which he moved the High Court.
Police, in its counter affidavit said Johnson has to follow certain norms and conditions as "no foreigner shall produce or attempt to produce any picture, including documentary or feature films for TV and they should get permission in writing subject to the conditions specified by the Centre."
He has to obtain a No-Objection Certificate from the police for shooting and after securing it apply to the Directorate of Information and Broadcasting and Public Relations Department of the state government for permission, police submitted.

Justice R Subbiah then directed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting be impleaded in the case and posted the matter for further hearing on February 16.