Decide if viewers can carry outside food in theatres: Bombay HC to Maha Govt
Representational Image (Courtesy: jdmagicbox.com)
The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to take a stand on permitting cinema-goers to carry their own food items inside theatres after seeking suggestions from multiplexes associations.
A bench of Justices R M Borde and Rajesh Ketkar directed the state Home department to also consider the suggestions already submitted by the petitioners seeking that people should be permitted to carry outside food to theatres.
The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by city resident Jainendra Baxi through his lawyer Aditya Pratap.
The plea claimed that there was no legal or statutory provision prohibiting one from carrying personal food articles or water inside movie theatres.
Pratap also told the court that the Maharashtra Cinemas (Regulation) Rules prohibit hawking and selling food inside theatres and auditoriums.
Related: Why can’t viewers bring outside food in movie theatres: Bombay HC to Maha Govt.
In compliance with the courts order, he then submitted a list of suggestions, such as issuing licences to theatres with a mandatory clause directing them against banning any outside food or water.
The FICCI Multiplex Owners Association, a national association of cinema theatre owners, however, approached the court today seeking that it be allowed to intervene in the case since the rights of the multiplex owners were being affected.
The state government told the court that it was willing to consider the suggestions made by all parties and take a decision accordingly, and sought two weeks time for it.
With agency inputs
