Director Shankar Press Release
I wish to bring to public attention a recent action taken by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Chennai Zonal Office, in which they have provisionally attached three immovable properties of mine, based on baseless plagiarism allegations related to the film Enthiran (Robot). Till date, there is no communication from the Enforcement Directorate regarding the attachment, but the attachment was widely circulated in Media.
This action not only misinterprets the legal facts but also represents a clear misuse of the legal process.
It is crucial to highlight that the matter concerning these allegations was already thoroughly adjudicated by the Hon’ble High Court in Civil Suit No. 914/2010. The Court carefully examined the evidence and arguments from both sides, dismissing the claim filed by Aarur Tamil Nadan, which sought to declare him as the rightful copyright holder of the Enthiran story.
Despite this clear judicial resolution, the Enforcement Directorate has proceeded with the attachment of my properties, relying on an independent report from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and ignoring the binding judgment of the Hon’ble High Court in C.S.No.914/2010. Furthermore, the private complaint referred to by the Enforcement Directorate has already been stayed by the Hon’ble High Court, Chennai in the order passed in Crl.MP.No.13914/23 in Crl.Op.No.20452/23.
Given these facts, I am deeply disheartened by the continued action of the ED, despite a clear legal ruling from the Civil Court, which categorically stated that no copyright violation took place. This overreach represents a blatant abuse of the legal process.
I trust the authorities will review their actions and cease further proceedings in this matter. Should they fail to do so, I will have no choice but to appeal against the attachment order.
Attachment: Judgment passed in C.S.No.914/2010 dated 15.06.2023