High Court quashes show restrictions
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday lifted restrictions imposed by the State Government, limiting the number of shows in a cinema to four in a day. According a notification issued by goverment, shows in cinema halls should be held between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. only, which means that not more than four shows could be held in a day.
Three well-known theatres in Bangalore – 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, Bangalore. The cinemas said the notification arbitrarily and unilaterally restricted the shows.
The State had cited Rule 41 (A) of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rule 1971, to restrict the number of shows. It had also made it mandatory for cinema halls to have a break of 30 minutes or more between each show, stating that there is a need to maintain this break between shows to ensure cinema halls are kept clean and tidy. The restrictions were imposed in the interest of public safety.
However, Justice N. Kumar struck down the regulation (notification) saying that it was illegal and not as per the provisions of the law.
