Company Hosting 'Bigg Boss Kannada' Moves High Court Against Sealing Of Premises, Eviction Of Contestants By Pollution Control Board

VELS Studio And Entertainment Private Limited, which is hosting reality show 'Big Boss Kannada' at its premises in Bidadi, has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging State Pollution Control Board's October 6 order directing immediate closure of the studio premises.

The plea states that the action of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is arbitrary, unlawful, and without jurisdiction, authority, or adherence to due process of law.

It states that the closure order dated 06.10.2025, was executed on the very next day i.e., on 07.10.2025 (Tuesday), in respect of the petitioner's property situated at Bidadi, Ramanagara District, which houses the lawful operations of VELS Studios and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

The plea states that the order was passed in utter disregard to the principles of natural justice, without affording the petitioner an opportunity of hearing.

The plea states that the  respondents, acting in excess of their jurisdiction and with apparent malafide intention, have attempted to abruptly halt the ongoing television production activities, including the recording of the nationally acclaimed television reality show "BIG BOSS".

Further it is alleged that the timing and haste in passing and executing the order, coinciding with the commencement and public telecast of the said show, reveals a deliberate and targeted attempt to cause disruption to the Petitioner's lawful business and to interfere with its commercial operations.

The plea also states that the order does not disclose any details about the alleged pollutant, its nature, concentration, or the process through which such pollution is said to have occurred. In the absence of these particulars, the order becomes vague, arbitrary, and devoid of reasoning.

Further, the Respondent authority has failed to record even minimal findings as required under law for a quasi-judicial order, thereby violating the fundamental principles of natural justice.

It is also claimed that the schedule premises being used solely as a dwelling house for contestants, does not qualify as an industrial establishment or factory.

As per Section 2(d) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, an "environmental pollutant" refers to any substance present in concentration harmful to human life. Such a finding must necessarily be supported by data from laboratory or clinical tests. In the present case, no such data or test report has been relied upon. The Respondent has acted purely on assumptions, rendering the impugned order arbitrary and unsustainable.

The plea prays to to set aside the closure order. In the interim, it seeks stay on the operation of the October 6 order and direction to the respondents not to interfere with the day to day business conducted at said premises.

Case Title: VELS STUDIOS AND ENTERTAINMENT PVT LTD AND THE STATE OF KARNATAKA & Others

Case No: WP 30507/2025

Advocate Vishwas Gowda G M for Petitioner.