1. This writ petition raises an important constitutional question as to whether the Tamil Nadu Dramatic Performances Act, 1954 (Tamil Nadu Act 33 of 1954) is constitutionally valid? and whether it is liable to be struck down as it infringes Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution?

2. The petitioner is a Writer and Journalist. He is also having a Theatre Group called "Pareeksha" established in the year 1976. The said Theatre group have put up several plays both in Theatre as well as street plays. The contention of the petitioner was that whenever he puts a play in the theatre, the script of the play has to get prior clearance from the Commissioner of Police if it is performed in the city of Chennai, who determines whether there is anything objectionable in the content of the plays. As a result of the said restriction, managers of the theatre halls require the petitioner to get permission from the Commissioner of Police. The office of the Commissioner of Police (third respondent) normally ask two copies of the script to be submitted to their office three weeks in advance before the date of performance of any play or drama. On submission of the script, the third respondent o