The Telangana High Court has taken strong action against the State government for allowing an increase in cinema ticket prices despite earlier court orders. On Tuesday, January 20, the High Court initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against Special Chief Secretary (Home) C.V. Anand for approving higher ticket rates for the Chiranjeevi-starrer Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar said the approval was given in clear violation of previous court directions, which had barred the government from permitting ticket price hikes without following proper rules. The judge noted that such decisions showed a pattern of repeated and deliberate disregard for court orders by the executive.
The court expressed serious concern over what it called arbitrary governance and lack of transparency in fixing cinema ticket prices. It observed that frequent violations force the judiciary to intervene to protect public interest and uphold the rule of law.
As part of the ruling, the High Court directed that any future proposal to increase cinema ticket prices must be notified at least 90 days in advance. This, the court said, would ensure transparency, give the public time to respond, and prevent sudden and unfair price hikes.
The order highlights growing tensions between the government and the judiciary over cinema pricing policies, accountability, and adherence to legal procedures. The contempt proceedings will continue, and the court is expected to examine the matter further in the coming hearings.