1. On a reference made by one of us (Puttaswamy, J.) these cases have been posted before us for disposal.

2. As common questions of law arise for determination in these cases, I propose to dispose of them by a common order.

3. All the petitioners hold licences called 'Touring Cinema Licences' issued in their favour by the concerned District Magistrates of the Districts ('DMs') presently under the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act of 1964 (Karnataka Act 23 of 1964) ('the Act') and the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1971 ('the Rules') for exhibiting films at the places detailed in their respective licences. The licences have been re - granted from time to time and were due for re - grant sometime before 3-5-1984 or immediately thereafter as is the case.

4. After a series of amendments to the Rules, their periodical and endless challenges before this Court, which so far regretfully ended up only in abortive results, to which aspect I will have occasion to refer to it in some detail at a later stage, Government of Karnataka in exercise of the powers conferred on it by S. 19 of the Act, in Notification No.HD 35 CNL 78 dt. 12-4-1984 published in the Karnataka Gazette dt. 3-5-1984