SC verdict on outside food in multiplexes is laced with some light-hearted humour

While hearing a case on allowing outside food in cinema halls, a Supreme Court bench tickled some funny bones while trying to put forth its argument.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha was looking at petitions calling for a ban on food and beverages brought from outside in cinema halls.

The bench ruled in favour of theatres and multiplexes stating that they have the right to regulate food and beverages from outside and it did so with some light humour.

It set aside a Jammu & Kashmir High Court order that allowed movie goers to bring food from outside, on the grounds that people should not be forced to eat whatever is served in the cinema halls.

The bench stated that cinema halls are for entertainment and like people choose which theatre to go to, the owners of the halls have the right to decide what is allowed and what is not allowed within the halls, as long as it does not endanger public safety or welfare.

'Theatres are private properties, the High Court overstepped its jurisdiction while saying any food can be allowed inside. Let the owners make the rules,' the judges said.

While trying to put forth his point, the CJI asked, 'What if someone starts getting jalebis inside cinema halls and then wipes their sticky fingers on the seats? I'm just stating an example. Who will clean it?'

The exchange became even funnier as he added the example of tandoori chicken, 'If someone has brought tandoori chicken then there will be complaints of bones left in the hall, that could be a bother to someone too.'

The High Court had stated in its judgement that free water must be provided by the theatres, especially to children.

Responding to this the bench said, 'Free water can be allowed but,' it continued with another cheeky example, 'what if the theatre sells nimbu paani for Rs 20, then you can't say I'll bring lemons from outside and squeeze it in my flask and make it inside the hall.'

The bench said whether or not to see a movie is entirely the choice of the viewer and, if he or she seeks to enter a cinema hall, they have to abide by the terms and conditions subject to which the entry is granted.

"It is open to the theatre owner to determine as to whether food from outside the precinct of the hall should be permitted within," it said, adding that it is evidently a matter of commercial decision of a theatre owner.

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court in July 2018 had scrapped the ban on outside food and beverages in cinema halls reasoning that movie goers are forced to consume whatever is sold at the theatre.

In August 2018, the top court had stayed the high court direction to the cinema hall and multiplex owners of the state not to prohibit movie goers from carrying own food and water inside the theatres.

with PTI inputs