Anirudh Ravichender. File | Photo Credit: B. Velkani Raj
The Madras High Court on Friday (August 22, 2025) directed the organizers of the Hukum World Tour Concert of Film music composer Anirudh Ravichendar, which on Saturday (August 23) directed the Chengalpattu police to follow the conditions by the Chengalpattu police in CIKINMAPAM near Kuvathur on the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai.
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh ordered that they should be clearly followed, allowing the conditions imposed by the Deputy Superintendent of the case for the concert. The interim order was given to Viduthalai Chiruthigal Kachi (VCK) MLA ‘Paniur’ Babu alias M. A writ filed by Babu was passed on a petition, which represents the Cheyur Assembly Constituency.
The judge also decided to keep the writ petition and on August 28, directed the resisti to list it again whether the concert was held in a systematic manner without giving a place to a Fiysco, such as AR Rahman’s Markuma Nenjam concert which was caused by overcrowing and mram in Paniaur in September 2023.
Petitioner’s lawyer R. Thrumurthy, Editonal Public Prosecutor A. The decision was taken by Damodaran, and senior advocate PV Balasubramanian, listening to advanced arguments, which represents the organizers of the Primary Productions Private Limited and the Brand Avatar, concert. The app told the court that the police had imposed necessary conditions for the smooth conduct of the incident.
However, filing a detailed affidavit in support of his writ petition, the MLA said that he had received several representatives from the local residents, expressing concern over the operation of the concerts in their area, along with adequate security along with other infrastructure requirements, especially when 30,000 people were expected to participate.
The MLA said, “I inspected the venue two days before the incident and my shock, no visible security arrangements were made. There are no temporary toilets or hygiene facilities, and there is no sign of potable water stations or medical aid booths,” said the MLA. He clarified that his concern was not to stop the incident, but only to ensure that it was held with the necessary precautions.
The MLA also claimed that the fire security arrangements were brightly absent, and no withdrawal plan was prepared. He said, “The approach to the concert site is a 30-foot-wide rural road, which is completely insufficient to handle vehicles. It could become a choke point,” they were afraid. He highlighted that the ECR stretch from Mamlapuram to Markanam was currently being converted into two to four lanes.
“These concerns are not just speculative. Recent events have proved how dangerous a sick plan can be. In particular, I draw your attention to AR Rahman’s Markuma Nenjam concert Fiasco on ECR in September 2023.
He sought a direction for the Chengelpattu Collector so that the organizers could be prevented from conducting the concert of Shri Ravichandar in Cycinamkupap on Saturday, or at least the program was postponed until security arrangements were made.
Published – August 22, 2025 12:53 pm IST
