Madras HC imposes interim stay on ED's action of freezing Shankar's properties

In a relief to director Shankar, the Madras High Court has issued an interim stay on the action of the Enforcement Directorate to freeze the filmmaker's property over the Enthiran film copyright dispute.

The case pertains to Shankar allegedly violating the copyright laws related to Enthiran's story. The Central Agency has frozen the immovable properties he has purchased through the remuneration he took for the film.

Shankar moved the HC with senior counsel PS Raman representing him. The director, in his prayer, sought to stay ED's actions. According to reports, Raman submitted to the bench led by Justices MS Ramesh and N Senthilkumar that the case pertains to the story and Shankar's remuneration of Rs 11.5 crore is not just for the story but for other creative contributions he made to the film.

Taking his argument further, the counsel submitted that ED's actions had no basis, and it took this step without waiting for the final verdict.

After the arguments, the HC adjourned the hearing for April 21 after imposing an interim stay on the freezing of Shankar's assets and instructed ED to submit its response.