Customers who have bought movie tickets in a theater can bring outside food into the theater? By not allowing them to bring outside food, are cinema theater owners violating the customers’ rights?
The Honorable Supreme Court has given the verdict, and there is some bad news for the consumers.
The cinema halls are private properties of the owners, who, therefore, have the right to regulate if moviegoers will carry food and beverage inside, noted a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on January 3.
Right to Reserve Admission
Further explaining, the justice PS Narasimha said, “The basic premise is that cinema has a right to reserve admission. The cinema owners have a right to sell their own food and beverages.”
Considering the hygiene standards, the SC bench directed cinema owners to make provisions for hygienic drinking water free of cost.
They have also asked them to allow parents with infants to carry a reasonable amount of food inside the theaters.
Cinema Hall – A Private Property
Moreover, the court noted, “The property of the cinema hall is the private property of the owner of the hall. The owner is entitled to set terms and conditions so long as such terms and conditions are not contrary to the public interest, safety, and welfare. The owner is entitled to set terms for the sale of food and beverages. Movie goer has the choice to not purchase the same.”
This all started when the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had directed multiplexes and cinema halls to not stop cinema goers from carrying food and water inside.
What Next?
Since the verdict is now crystal clear, it’s confirmed that movie goers who buy tickets won’t be allowed to bring in outside food into the cinema, and the status-quo shall be maintained.
The only aspect which needs more debate is the pricing of the food items being sold inside the theaters.
We will keep you updated, as more details come in.
