The Supreme Court has ruled that the owners of cinema halls are entitled to set the terms and conditions for the sale of food and beverages within their theatre precincts. A Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud said, Cinema owners can determine whether outside food should be permitted on their premises or not. The bench observed that the cinema hall is the private property of the owner, who is entitled to have terms and conditions so long as they are not contrary to the public interest, safety and welfare.
The top Court set aside the direction of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court which had directed cinema hall owners not to prohibit moviegoers from carrying their own food articles and water inside the theatres. However, the bench clarified that all Cinema Halls must provide hygienic drinking water for all moviegoers free of cost in theatres.
