Noted actor and former Rajya Sabha member Mohanbabu on Monday got a breather from Apex court over the ban imposed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court with regard to using Padmasri as honorific.
The Supreme Court set aside the High Court ruling that stripped Mohan Babu Padma Shri award following a petition by former BJP state president N Indrasena Reddy.
Reddy contended that the actor Mohanbabu and another actor Brahmanandam had misused the civilian award in the titles of his movie ‘Denikaina Ready’ and ‘Jhummandi Naadam’. Reddy also sought annulment of Padmsri awarded to Brahmanandam.
According to the petitioner, prefixing Padmasri to the their name was violation of Article 18(1) and earlier directions of Supreme Court.Convinced with argument, in the first of its kind order in the country, the Hyderabad High Court, in February 2014, directed the union home ministry to recommend to the president of India to annul the Padmasri accorded to Mohan Babu in 2007 and Brahmanandam in 2009.
Later in April 2014, both Mohanbabu and Brahmanandam moved the SC.
A Division Bench of Justices H L Dattu and SA Bodde, upon hearing their senior counsel Soli Sorabjee , directed the actors not to misuse the civilian title. Then SC stayed the High Court order.
Mohan Babu and Brahmanandam assured the Apex Court in writing that they would not misuse the titles.
In the petition filed by Mohanbau court ruled that he could retain the Padmasri.
It may be recalled that a government press release on April 17, 1968 , had clarified that using the Padma awards as titles on letterheads, invitation cards, posters, books etc, violated the spirit of the constitution, which has abolished titles.
