Khaitan & Co advised and represented Multiplex Association of India in writ petition before the Karnataka High Court
The leading law firm in India,Khaitan & Co, advised and represented the Multiplex Association of India (“MAI”) in a batch of writ petitions challenging the Karnataka Government’s recent notification dated 12 September 2025, which introduced the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The amendment capped cinema ticket prices at ₹200 across the State of Karnataka. The matter was listed before Justice Ravi V. Hosmani and was heard in detail on 16 September 2025.
Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Uday Holla, along with the Khaitan & Co team, appeared for MAI. They submitted that the impugned amendment was ultra vires the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1946. The counsels further contended that the price cap violated Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution by interfering with cinema proprietors’ right to determine business models.
Opposing the petitions, the State of Karnataka argued that the rule was within the legislative competence under the Constitution. Relying on case law, the State maintained that it possessed the power to regulate maximum ticket prices in the public interest. It further argued that the restriction was a reasonable one protected under Article 19(6), and that legislation enjoys a presumption of constitutionality.
On 23 September 2025, the Court stayed the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 till further orders. The matters will be posted for further hearing, with the Court expected to examine the interplay between legislative competence, delegated rule-making powers, and the constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom of trade.
The client was represented by Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Uday Holla.
The Khaitan & Co team consisted of Sahil Narang (Partner), Nikhilesh Rao (Partner), Dhritiman Roy (Counsel), Avinash Balakrishna (Counsel), Ayushman Kacker (Principal Associate), Madhavam Sharma (Principal Associate), Haritaa Nair (Associate), and Vidush Sinha (Associate).
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