- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:54537 WP No. 37806 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO. 37806 OF 2025 (C) BETWEEN: 1. M/S SAMVIDHANA CINE COMBINES BY ITS PRODUCER SRI A.V.NAGARAJU (TIGER NAG), AGED 40 YEARS S/O VEERAKYATHAIAH, JETTY AGRAHARA POST, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT-572129, REP. BY ITS PROPRIETOR. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. G R MOHAN., ADVOCATE) AND 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA KANNADA, SAMSKRUTHI AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT, VIKASA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-560 001 BY ITS PRL SECRETARY 2. THE COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS VARTHA SOUDHA, NO. 17, BHAGVAN MAHAVIR ROAD, BENGALURU-560 001 Digitally signed by MAHALAKSHMI B M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:54537 WP No. 37806 of 2025 3. THE CHAIRPERSON KANNADA CHALANACHITRA ACADEMY 20/A, CIRCULAR ROAD, MIG BLOCK, NANDINI LAYOUT BENGALURU-560 096 4. THE REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ALI ASKER ROAD, BENGALURU-560 001 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. RASHMI M RAO, HCGP, FOR R1, R2 AND R4) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDR ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTIUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE DIRECTIONS TO THE RESPONDENTS 1, 2 AND 4 TO HOLD AN ENQUIRY IN TERMS OF THE GRIEVANCES RAISED AGAINST THE 3RD RESPONDENT ACADEMY BY THE PETITIONER DATED 18-08-2025 AS PER ANNEXURE-F AND 15-11-2025 AS PER ANNEXURE-H1 AND H2 BEFORE HOLDING OF THE 17TH BENGALURU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FROM 29-01- 2026 TO 06-02-2026 FORTHWITH IN VIEW OF THE URGENCY IN THE MATTER AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:54537 WP No. 37806 of 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA ORAL ORDER Learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 4 submits that the applications have been invited for participation in the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival, scheduled to be held from 29.01.2026 to 06.02.2026 and the last date for submission of application is 31.12.2025. It is further submitted that only thereafter would the process of screening and selection commence. It is also brought to the notice of this Court that a meeting is proposed to be held under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Chief Minister wherein a decision would be taken regarding the constitution of the Committee for screening the films to be exhibited in the festival. 2. It is contended that the petitioner has approached this Court at a premature stage, even before submitting any application for screening of a film, and therefore no cause of action has yet arisen warranting interference by this Court. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:54537 WP No. 37806 of 2025 3. On consideration of the submission made, this Court finds merit in the contention of the learned HCGP. Admittedly the application process is still open and no decision has been taken either with regard to the constitution of a selection committee or screening of the films. In the absence of any concrete adverse action or decision affecting the petitioner, the present petition is premature. In view of the matter, this Court is not inclined to entertain the writ petition at this stage. 4. Accordingly, this Court pass the following : (i) The Writ Petition is dismissed as premature. (ii) Liberty is reserved to the petitioner to approach this Court if any grievance arises, in accordance with law at a later stage. Sd/- _____________________ JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA VS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 14