The High Court of Karnataka has decided to frame charges against film-makers Sarath Champati, Kalyan Varma, and Amoghavarhaa J.S. of the documentary “Wild Karnataka”, representatives of television channels Discovery India and BBC United Kingdom, and over-the-top streaming platform Netflix, for airing the film and its footage/clippings in violation of the court’s June 2021 interim order.
The charges will also be framed against representatives of the film’s UK-based producer, Icon Films Ltd., distributor ITV Studios Global Distribution Ltd.
“At this stage, we are only considering the prima facie case to direct the accused to answer the charge. The material on record shows that even after the interim order, the footage was on air, no matter broadcast by whom. To record a precise finding with regard to the involvement of the accused, a trial is necessary. In our opinion, there is sufficient material on record to frame the charges against the accused,” the court observed.
