Chennai Metropolitan Magistrate's Court Sentences Actress Jayaprada to 6 Months Imprisonment for Non-Payment of Dues to Theatre Workers

Case Title: Employees State Insurance Corporation v. M/s. Jayapradha Cine Theatre and others

A Chennai Metropolitan Magistrate's Court has sentenced actress and former Member of Parliament Jayaprada and others to 6 months simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs.5000 over non-payment of dues to their theatre workers under the Employee State Insurance Act.

Metropolitan Magistrate C Sundarapandian found the Actress Jayaprada guilty for commission of offence under sections 85 (a), 85 (i)(b) of the Employees State Insurance Act with the statutory obligations of payment of contributions due to the Employees State Insurance Corporation in exercise of Powers conferred under Section 45A.

The theatre workers alleged that although the management deducted ESI contributions, they did not transfer the funds to the state insurance corporation. The ESI Corporation lodged a complaint against Jaya Prada and her brother for neglecting to pay Rs 8,17,794 from November 1991 to September 2002. The court ordered them to pay the due amount.