In a major improvement within the Jana Nayagan piracy case, the Madras Excessive Courtroom has rejected bail pleas filed by six accused people allegedly concerned in leaking the unreleased Jana Nayagan, the much-discussed political drama headlined by Vijay.
The order was handed by Justice R Sakthivel after the prosecution argued strongly in opposition to granting bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the dimensions at which the movie had been illegally circulated earlier than its launch and certification course of was accomplished.
Based on stories, the prosecution informed the court docket that lakhs of viewers had already watched pirated footage of the movie earlier than it may obtain clearance from the Central Board of Movie Certification. The leak reportedly induced main setbacks to the makers, each financially and operationally.
How the alleged leak unfolded
The case stems from a grievance filed by R Udayakumar, manufacturing controller of KVN Productions, the banner backing the movie. Based mostly on the grievance, the cyber crime wing registered an FIR in opposition to 21 people linked to the alleged piracy community.
Investigators claimed that freelance editor S Prashanth gained entry to modifying amenities whereas engaged on actor Soori’s upcoming movie Mandaadi. Police alleged that Prashanth used this chance to illegally copy parts of Jana Nayagan onto an exterior onerous drive.
The investigation additional revealed that the footage was later considered and circulated amongst relations and associates. Prashanth’s brothers, recognized as Selvam and Rajini, had been additionally named among the many accused. Certainly one of them allegedly shared the movie with a colleague employed at a textile showroom, widening the chain of distribution.
The prosecution additionally knowledgeable the court docket that one other accused, D Uma Shankar, who labored as a purchase order supervisor on the similar textile institution, stays absconding regardless of his anticipatory bail plea being dismissed earlier.
The alleged leak turned much more critical after parts of the movie had been reportedly uploaded onto Google Drive by one other accused, J Balakrishnan. Investigators claimed the footage was downloaded and circulated extensively on-line earlier than finally discovering its method onto piracy platforms together with Tamil Rockers and Tamil Films.
A significant setback for Vijay’s remaining movie earlier than politics
The court docket heard 4 separate bail petitions filed on behalf of 9 accused individuals. Nevertheless, the authorized counsel representing the primary, second and seventh accused selected to not pursue bail since all three had already been detained below the Goondas Act. The remaining six accused sought reduction from the court docket, however their pleas had been in the end rejected.
Showing for KVN Productions, advocate Vijayan Subramanian argued that the manufacturing home had suffered monumental monetary losses as a result of leak. The prosecution maintained that the widespread circulation of the footage warranted strict authorized motion and that granting bail at this stage may hamper the continued investigation.
Jana Nayagan had generated monumental anticipation lengthy earlier than its scheduled Pongal launch. The movie was anticipated to be Vijay’s remaining appearing venture earlier than getting into full-time politics. Nevertheless, the manufacturing quickly turned mired in controversy after dealing with censor certification delays alongside the damaging leak problem.
The delay meant the movie by no means reached theatres earlier than the Tamil Nadu Meeting elections, the place Vijay contested all 234 constituencies by his political alliance. His coalition finally secured victory in 108 seats, paving the best way for him to imagine workplace because the Chief Minister.
At the same time as Vijay’s political profession entered a brand new chapter, Jana Nayagan remained caught in uncertainty, with the leak rising as one of many largest blows to the venture. The Excessive Courtroom’s newest order now indicators a more durable stance in opposition to digital piracy circumstances involving high-profile movies within the Tamil business.
Additionally Learn: Jana Nayagan Leak Case Widens: Chennai Police Arrest Three Extra, Mastermind Recognized
