NAGPUR: Questioning the logic of the State government’s argument that allowing outside food would create security threat at multiplexes, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday asked the government to explain as how the food meant for personal consumption could breach security.
When people could carry outside food on flights, why couldn’t they do the same at multiplexes? How will there be a security violation when metal detectors were placed at all multiplexes, asked the HC’s division bench comprising Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai. The bench also stated that the government’s affidavit didn’t have any specified reason on its claim.
The State government filed an affidavit in the High Court mentioning that outside food couldn’t be allowed at multiplexes as per rules, but it assured that the multiplexes would be asked not to sale food and water above MRP.
On behalf of multiplex Owners’ Association, senior advocate Iqbal Chagla argued that prices of goods sold inside a multiplex couldn’t be regulated because multiplexes were business ventures. “Can people be allowed to carry outside food at restuarants?” he asked.
On this, the court reminded the counsel that the main business of multiplexes was to screen films and not selling food items, which indeed was the main business of restaurants.
The court was informed that a petition in this regard was likely to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on August 10. Therefore the High Court adjourned the case to September 3.
