In a big relief to the multiplexes across Telangana, the state high court on Saturday withdrew its earlier orders barring the entry of children below 16 years into multiplexes to watch movies.
A bench of Justice B Vijay Sen Reddy issued a fresh order, modifying his earlier order dated January 24, which stated that shall not allow children below 16 years to watch movies after 11 pm.
“This direction shall stand deleted from the order dated January 24,” the judge said.
The decision was taken following a petition filed by the multiplex operators who are the stakeholders.
The judge said the interest of the multiplexes has to be taken into consideration and they should be given an opportunity to present their version in the interest of justice before any order is passed.
The high court had issued the earlier order while hearing a petition of a journalist who opposed the state government’s decision to enhance the ticket prices of “Pushpa-2” and “Game Changer” films and allow screening of benefit shows/additional shows.
Following the interim order passed by the high court, the state government has taken a decision not to enhance the ticket prices and not to allow benefit shows.
Arguing on behalf of the multiplex operators, senior lawyers S Niranjan Reddy and A Venkatesh said the earlier order of the high court restricting the entry of children below 16 years into cinema theatres, has severely impacted the business of the multiplexes.
The lawyers argued that there is no statutory restriction for allowing children of any age to watch late night movies after 11 pm.
They pointed out that the high court order directed the government to consult all the stake holders and take necessary decision for regulating entry of children below 16 years in multiplexes/theatres before 11 am and after 11 pm is concerned.
“The interim order of the high court is in the nature of final order and moreover, it is beyond the scope of the writ petitions, which are not public interest litigations,” Niranjan Reddy argued.
On hearing the arguments, the judge said the matter requires to be heard by giving opportunity of hearing to the version of the multiplexes whose interest is stated to be adversely affected.
The judge agreed with the contention of the counsels that there is no statutory regulation as of now restricting entry of children in theatres during late night shows and withdrew the order. He posted the case to March 17 to seek the opinion of the government.
