Although this comes in just a tad bit late, we have an important update for our readers post the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the Special Leave Petition filed by the infamous Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) against the order passed by the Bombay HC, allowing the government to finally rip into IPRS’ unscrupulous affairs (I blogged about this here).
As it appears, in a notification dated 14th August, 2015, the Central Government has announced the appointment of Y.P.C. Dangey – retired joint secretary and legal adviser of the Department of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Law and Justice – as Inquiry Officer to look into the inconsistencies and irregularities that have plagued the ex-copyright society all throughout its existence.
The notification itself lays down the Inquiry Officer’s terms of reference, and his powers and functions. It goes on to state that the officer’s report on the investigation is to be submitted within three months from the date of the first sitting, but may be extended subject to the Central government’s approval, in accordance with sub-rule (3) of rule 51 of the Copyright Rules, 2013.
The inquiry itself commenced on 13th October, 2015.
Readers looking to be brought up to speed on the whole drama may note that we have very, very extensively covered IPRS’ shifty, thieving ways here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.)