FIR Filed Against Cinema in Punjab for Violating Election Code

In a significant development, the Chief Election Officer of Punjab has initiated legal action against a cinema theatre in Rajpura for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by screening promotional advertisements featuring Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The FIR was lodged following a directive from Patiala Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray, marking a swift response to the breach of election regulations that came to light just two days prior.

The controversy began after RTI activist Manik Goyal reported the unauthorized advertisements to the State Election Commission, highlighting the use of government logos and the Chief Minister’s image in cinema ads across Punjab. The government had stipulated that such advertisements should cease with the onset of the MCC on March 16, and any continuation was unauthorized. Investigations revealed that the disputed ads, including promotions for the movie ‘Chamkila,’ were indeed broadcasted after the MCC’s enforcement, further implicating the cinema owners for providing false information under section 177 of the IPC.

The Chief Election Officer of Punjab, Sibin C, stated that the government had not sanctioned any advertisements since the implementation of the MCC, emphasizing the seriousness with which the authorities are addressing the matter. The case against Qube Cinemas Network underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure strict adherence to election laws and regulations, amidst criticisms of the MCC’s effectiveness in curbing electoral malpractices.

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