Bombay HC Questions Maharashtra Govt On Disallowing Outside Food In Theaters

The Maharashtra government has been asked by the Bombay High Court to reply to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the prohibition on carrying outside food into movie theatres and multiplexes across the state.

The court asked that when a person is frisked before going inside the theatre, why is it that food items are not allowed inside and later they are forced to buy overpriced food from the theatre itself.

A bench of Justices R M Borde and Rajesh Ketkar directed the state government to inform the court within three weeks the reason behind such a practice. They also demanded to see if there is a law in place for the purpose.

PIL

According to The Times of India, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by city resident Jainendra Baxi through his lawyer Aditya Pratap.

The plea claimed that there was no legal provision for carrying food inside the theatre. Hawking and selling of food although, is illegal inside the theatre premises. “This rule is openly flouted by cinema halls with several stalls selling food and beverages. New theatres also have buttons right on the seats of viewers that enable them to call for a waiter, order food, and have the same delivered right at their seats,” the lawyer said.

Pratap further argued that such a rule is more problematic for senior citizens as they have a lot of restrictions on their food habits and the food available at theatres are junk food.

He also raised another concern and said that the security should frisk only for dangerous possessions and not for food.

“You have metal detectors to check for unauthorised or dangerous possessions such as knives and arms. The guards also frisk the public entering the theatres, check their purses and bags, then what is the need to remove all their food items and ask them to purchase food items from the theatres?” the bench asked.