Cinema halls can set terms for sale of food and beverages inside premises: Supreme Court

In a relief for listed multiplex companies, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that cinema halls have the right to prohibit the carrying of food and beverages from outside.

It, however, said that multiplexes should allow parents to bring food for infants & children and provide free drinking water.

Noting that cinema halls are the private property of owners, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said that a moviegoer has a choice to not consume the food available at the multiplexes.

The Supreme Court pronounced its verdict on a batch of pleas filed by theatre owners of Jammu and Kashmir and the Multiplex Association of India challenging a J&K High Court order which prevented moviegoers from carrying their own food and beverages into movie halls.

"The high court exceeded jurisdiction in passing such an order. It has been submitted movie hall owners that drinking water will be supplied free of charge and when an infant accompanies a parent, as a matter of practice hall owners do not object to reasonable amount of food for infant," the top court said.