Prima facie evidence to show there was obscenity: Madras HC - Times of India

"The performance was according to the agreement and the instructions of the choreographers. The choice of dress was not that of the actors," said counsel for the actors.

They further maintained there was nothing obscene about the performance. However, the judge asked, "Is it right for you to perform with two piece dress just because the choreographers suggested."

After seeing the photos produced by Neelamegam, counsel for the petitioner, the judge said there is prima facie evidence for the case.

Petitioner K Jebakumar had sought initiation of criminal action against the Bollywood actors, cricketers and other celebrities besides BCCI office bearers for the 'obscene' performance during the inaugural ceremony.

Centre told the court that Information and Broadcasting Ministry had set up an Electronic Media Monitoring Centre for monitoring any violation of programmes under Cable TV Networks Act 1995.

I&B Ministry under secretary DC Pathak submitted the Act regulated programmes and advertisements by prescribing programme code.

Various guidelines also had been issued to comply with the programme and advertising code. Though the act does not provide for pre-censorship, there were codes to be followed.

He was responding to the court's directive to reply on the plea seeking action against BCCI and others for telecasting inaugural function of IPL 5 with 'obscene' dances, whether there was any mechanism to regulate broadcasters from broadcasting contents that were obscene.

A committee had also been formed, under the additional secretary of Information and Broadcasting, to take cognisance suo motu or into specific complaints regarding violation of programme code.

Besides the News Broadcasters Association had also formulated code of ethics and broadcasting standards. The Indian Broadcasting Foundation, which represented non-news private TV channels, had also set up a mechanism of self-regulation.

The Broadcast Content Complaints council, made operational from July 1, 2011, with 13 members, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, was powerful, said Wilson, Counsel for Central government.