|
Court receiver appointed for Chori, Chori
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPRESS
NEWS SERVICE
MUMBAI, February 12: Tainted film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
is expected to hit the screens very shortly with the Maharashtra
Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court appointing a
receiver to release it worldwide.
Judge A P Bhangale today attached the film and appointed well-known
distributor Santosh Singh Jain as receiver. Jain is president
of Central Cine Circuit Association (CCCA) and is established
in the films distribution field for some 35 years. The film
was seized by the police after arrest of its producer Nazim
Rizvi for his links with the underworld in December 2000.
Jain was nominated by the police who objected to film-maker
Mahesh Bhatt's being appointed on the grounds that he was
co-producer of Kasoor along with jailed financier Bharat Shah.
The defence
has mooted Bhatt's name for the post on Friday. Bhatt came
to court today and submitted an undertaking to lawfully and
faithfully carry out the duties of a receiver. However Special
Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian told the court that the prosecution
is opposed to Bhatt who besides co-producing Kasoor, has earlier
association with Shah besides being a close friend. Judge
Bhangale then directed another name be given to which Jain's
name was provided by the prosecution.
Jain,
who was also present, was asked to tender an undertaking of
him in regard to his appointment as receiver. Jain has been
directed to ensure maximum returns from the film's release,
complete all formalities including incomplete work and maintain
proper accounts. He has been restrained from maintaining contact
with the underworld. Jain has been asked to approach the court
if he faces any problem.
The judge
agreed with the distributors suggestion that the value of
the film has shot up due to the delay and said it will fetch
better income than expected. The distributors have been directed
to give individual undertakings to the effect that they maintain
proper accounts and shall act in good faith. The judge has
ordered payment of dues to Ad Lab, which has processed the
film and also directed the latter to release the film to the
receiver.
The court
has directed that the money generated from the film's release
shall be placed at the State's disposal until the trial concludes.
It also directed the State to use the money and pay interest
at prevailing interest rates. However the defence lawyers
Shiraz Rahimtoola, Vibhav Krishna and M L Ranjit took objection
to the use of the money ``freely'' by the State.
Salian
then suggested that the money should be deposited in a fixed
deposit with either Reserve Bank of India or the State Bank
of India. The judge also ordered at the end of the trial the
money shall be handed over to the person legally entitled
to receive it. Further that Empire Studios at Andheri directed
to complete all post-production work.
Bhatt
in a statement released he is ``very happy that a person of
the calibre and experience'' of Singh has been chosen to carry
out the responsibility as receiver. He said the decision of
the police and the court of appointing Jain has removed ``a
burden of my shoulder.'' He said Jain who has been distributor
himself will do a better job and will look into the interests
of his fellow-distributors.
TOP
|
Cover
Story
