NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has recently allowed theatres across the country to prohibit movie viewers from taking outside food into the hall. This decision overrides a verdict of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court allowing customers to bring their own edibles into cinema halls.
A bench comprising of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha observed that the ''cinema hall is the private property of the owner,'' who is entitled to have terms and conditions so long as they are not contrary to the public interest, safety and welfare.
"Viewers visit a cinema hall for the purpose of entertainment. We are clearly of the view that the high court transgressed the limits in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution by ordering and directing the state to ensure that there should be no prohibition on a moviegoer bringing eatables and beverages from outside within the precinct of a cinema hall," the Judges maintained.
The apex court of the country was hearing a number of pleas challenging a decision by the J & K High Court in July 2018. The bench mentioned that it is the discretion of the customer to visit a theatre or not to watch a movie, but if they decide to visit, they have to abide by the rules set by the owners of the property.
The apex court however maintained the previous decision regarding infant food. It mentions that if an infant or a young child accompanies the parents to the movie, the cinema hall owners will allow a reasonable amount of food for the child to serve the nutritional requirements.
The decision to buy or not to buy food and beverages inside the theatre is still at the discretion of the moviegoer.
This decision comes as a relief to the theatre which makes an additional income from the F&B services over and above the movie tickets, but as a majority of them charge exorbitant rates for the same, it remains a question about how many visitors opt for the same.
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