MCC violation: Case registered against 2 Punjab cinema houses for running govt ads

Chandigarh: Punjab Police have registered a case against the owner and managerial staff of two cinema houses for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCOC) in operation for the upcoming Lok Sabha poll, the state's top electoral official said.

The police cases were filed against the owner and managers of Prime Cinema and the in-charge of the Qube Cinema, on the recommendations of the MCMC committee Patiala.

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C said the office of CEO received a complaint on April 6 from an RTI activist regarding gross violation of MCOC. According to the complainant, the promotional video ads featuring the Punjab government logo and the Chief Minister's appearance are being played in cinemas across the state.

Taking immediate cognisance of the complaint, CEO Punjab sought a report from Deputy Commissioner Patiala, under whose jurisdiction Prime Cinema, Rajpura (Patiala) falls.

The CEO also sought a report from Secretary, Public Relation Department, Government of Punjab, who issues releasing order (RO) for all Punjab government advertisements to various agencies. A report was also sought from all Deputy Commissioners cum DEOs in the state to ascertain the status of display of such government advertisements in any of the cinema across the State.

He said a notice was issued to Paramjit Singh, Manager Prime Cinemas, Rajpura on April 6.

Thereafter, being a matter primarily related with the display of advertisement in cinema, the case was put up to MCMC Patiala (Media Certification and Monitoring Committee).

As per the recommendations of the MCMC committee Patiala, the police on April 8 under section 188 IPC and 177 IPC has been lodged against the Owner and Managers of Prime Cinema and under section 188 IPC against the representatives/manager/person in-charge of the Qube Cinema.

The CEO said a report was sent to Election Commission of India (ECI) by CEO office, Punjab for further directions of the Commission. He said as per the reports received from other 22 districts, no such incidences were reported from any other part of the state.