Khaitan & Co Advised Multiplex Association Of India In Karnataka High Court Writ Petition

Khaitan & Co Advised Multiplex Association of India in Karnataka High Court Writ Petition

Khaitan & Co successfully advised and represented the Multiplex Association of India (MAI)—the only national body of multiplex cinema operators—before the Karnataka High Court in a Writ Petition challenging an order of the District Consumer Commission.

The District Commission’s order had held PVR INOX guilty of unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, for screening Public Service Awareness films, advertisements, and commercial trailers before the commencement of a feature film and had directed theatres to print the actual feature film start time on movie tickets. The order also imposed compensation liability on PVR INOX.

The Khaitan & Co team advised and assisted MAI in filing a Writ Petition challenging the District Commission’s order, arguing that it was without jurisdiction and violated fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.

Upon hearing the matter, the Karnataka High Court, on March 10, 2025, formed a prima facie view that the District Commission lacked jurisdiction to pass directions on how a movie screening should be conducted and accordingly stayed the order. The Court also observed that the existence of an alternative statutory appeal did not preclude the High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution to entertain the Writ Petition.

The Khaitan & Co team advising MAI was led by Sahil Narang (Partner), Nikhilesh Rao (Partner), and Karun Mehta (Partner), along with Avinash Balakrishna (Principal Associate), Madhavam Sharma (Principal Associate), Yugam Taneja (Principal Associate), Ayushman Kacker (Senior Associate), and Vidush Sinha (Associate).

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