High Court quashes restriction on show timings in cinemas

High Court quashes restriction on show timings in cinemas

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday lifted restrictions imposed by the State Government on cinema timings when it quashed a Government Order restricting cinema shows between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Three of Bangalore’s well-known cinemas had moved the court against the order. The cinemas — Rex on Brigade Road, Navrang in Rajajinagar and Pradeep in K.R. Market — had challenged the legality and validity of a notification issued by the District Magistrate of Bangalore restricting the number of shows in a cinema to four a day.

The cinemas said the notification arbitrarily and unilaterally restricted the shows and said that there should be a mandatory break or interval between the shows. This meant that not more than four shows could be held in a day.

They said the State had cited Rule 41 (A) of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rule, 1971, to restrict the number of shows.

They said the State had made it mandatory for cinema halls to have a break of 30 minutes or more after each show.

Defending the regulation, the Government said there was a need to give 30 minutes break between shows to ensure that the cinema halls were kept clean and tidy.

The Government said the other restrictions under the Act were imposed in the interest of public safety.

Justice N. Kumar struck down the regulation (notification) saying that it was illegal and not as per the provisions of the law.