Food should be sold at regular prices in theatres, says HC

Noting that the cost of food and water inside multiplexes was exorbitant, the Bombay High Court today opined that it should be sold at regular prices.

The Maharashtra government told the court that it would soon frame a policy on the issue.

A division bench of justices S M Kemkar and M S Karnik was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by city resident Jainendra Baxi, challenging the prohibition on carrying outside food inside movie theatres and multiplexes across the state.

The petitioner's lawyer, Aditya Pratap Singh, told the court there does not exist any legal or statutory provision that prohibits one from carrying personal food articles or water inside movie theatres.

The multiplexes sell food and water inside, but at an increased price, he said.

Agreeing to this, Justice Kemkar said, "The price of food and water bottles sold inside movie theatres are, indeed, exorbitant. We have ourselves experienced it. You (multiplexes) should sell it at the regular price."
Government pleader Purnima Kantharia today told the court that the state would soon frame a policy on the issue, after taking into consideration suggestions submitted by the petitioner and the Multiplex Owners' Association (MOA)