IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 15TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019 PRESENT THE HON’BLE MR. L. NARAYANASWAMY, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE P.S.DINESH KUMAR WRIT PETITION NO.57277 OF 2018 (C-RES) PIL BETWEEN:
SRI.VENKATESA SETTY, 74 YEARS, S/O (LATE) SAMPANGI SETTY, NO.45/1, 2 A CROSS, KALKERE MAIN ROAD, ADITYA LAYOUT, CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL, RAMAMURTHY NAGAR, DOORAVANI NAGAR, BENGALURU-560 016, BY LARGE PUBLIC OF K.G.F.
... PETITIONER (BY SRI.H.L.SHASHI KUMAR, ADVOCATE) AND:
1. SRI.VIJAY KUMAR KIRGONDUR, S/O CHANNEGOWDA, PRODUCER, KGF FILM, R/AT “VJAY HOSAMANE”, KIRGANDUR VILLAGE, MANDYA DISTRICT-571403.
2. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, KOLAR, DISTRICT-563101, KARNATAKA.
3. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, CHAMPION REEFS, KGF-563 122.
4. CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, OORGM CIRCLE, OORGAM, KGF-563 120.
5. MR. VENKATESH REDDY, A.S.I, OORGAM POLICE, K.G.F.-563 120, KOLAR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA.
6. SMT. PADMINI DEVI, HOME SECRETARY, GOVT. OF KARNATAKA, VIDHANASOUDHA, BENGALURU-560 001.
7. SRI.HARSHA, DIRECTOR, DEPT. OF INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, NO.17, GROUND-INDIAN OVER SEAS BANK, INFANTRY ROAD, SHIVAJI NAGAR, BENGALURU-560 001.
8. CHAIRMAN, KARNATAKA STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, 3RD FLOOR, M.S.BUILDING, DR.AMBEDKAR STREET, BENGALURU-560 001.
9. GOVT. OF INDIA BY REP. BY VIPLOV RAI BHATIA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (I.C), CENTRAL PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, FILM DIVISION, NO.24, DR.GOPALRAO. DESHMUKH MARG, MUMBAI-400026, MAHARASTRA (INDIA).
10. SRI.N.S.SRIDHAR, DIRECTOR, CENTRAL PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, FILM DIVISION, NO.24, DR.GOPALRAO. DESHMUKH MARG, MUMBAI-400026, MAHARASHTRA (INDIA).
11. CHIEF ENGINEER, (BGML) BHARATH GOLD MINES LTD., KGF-563120.
12. SRI.PRASHANTH NEEL, DIRECTOR, KGF FILM, C/O.HOMBALE FILMS, LLP, HOSAHALLI EXTENSION, NO.1312, 2ND FLOOR, 11TH MAIN, VIJAYANAGARA, BENGALURU-560 040.
13. SRI.NAVEEN KUMAR GOWDA, @ YASH (ACTOR KGF FILM), S/O ARUN KUMAR, R/AT KATHREGUPE, NEAR WATER TANK, BANASHANKARI, 3RD STAGE, BENGALURU-560 085.
14. CHIEF EDITOR HOSADIGANTA, DAILY NEWS PAPER, KANNADA, NO.1/1, 1ST FLOOR, BAHU RAO DESHPANDE BUILDING, 8TH MAIN, 6TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM, BENGALURU-560 003.
15. THE CHIEF EDITOR, SANJAYVAI NEWS PAPER, 4TH FLOOR, QUEENS ROAD, BENGALURU-560 001.
…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.D.NAGARAJ, AGA FOR R2 TO 4) *** THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA FOR ISSUANCE OF WRIT IN THE NATURE, UNDER ARTICLES 21, 38 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE DIRECTIONS TO THE K.G.F FILM PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR TO REMOVE THE TITLE AS KGF, AND TO REMOVE ALL THE STATEMENTS, DIALOGS OF CRIMINAL CONTENTS, EXHIBITED IN THIS FILM.
THIS WRIT PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY P.S.DINESH KUMAR J, MADE THE FOLLOWING:
ORDER Heard.
2. This Public Interest Litigation is filed, inter alia, praying for a direction to the Producer and Director of the film called ‘KGF’ to remove all the statements, dialogues of criminal content exhibited in the film.
3. The learned Advocate for the petitioner submits that some derogative words have been used in the film which affect the sentiments of general public.
4. The film has been examined by the Sensor Board, which is appropriate authority to examine all aspects including the dialogues and scenes in a film. No material is produced to show that Sensor Board’s certificate is issued without proper application of mind. In the circumstances, in the absence of any cogent and specific material placed before this Court, we are of the view that there is no merit in this petition calling for interference. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed.
No costs.
Sd/-
ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- JUDGE VK