Theatre Owners Cannot Fleece Movie Goers By Collecting Excess Amount From Them
The Madras High Court held that the theatre owners cannot fleece the movie goers by collecting excess amount from them.
The Writ Petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking action against cinema theatre owners in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. The Petitioner highlighted the collection of excessive ticket charges for the first four days of new movies, such as “Vivegam”, and sought to stop this “cheating practice” by the cinema theatre owners. The petition also requested the return of excess money charged over the government-fixed cinema ticket charges.
A Single Bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh ordered that “whenever any such practise is followed by the theatres particularly, after the release of a new film, the Committee constituted by the Government shall take steps to initiate action against the concerned theatre owner and direct refund of excess amount collected. They shall also act upon any complaints that is received in this regard.”
The Petitioner appeared in person, while Additional Government Pleader E Vijay Anand represented the Respondents.
Brief Facts
During the proceedings, the Respondents submitted that the authorities are continuously monitoring the collection of charges by cinema theatres. He further stated that a Committee has already been formed for this purpose, which jointly inspects theatres and recommends action in cases of violation.
Court’s Reasoning
The High Court emphasised that “when the Government has fixed a rate which is revised from time to time, the theatre owners cannot fleece the movie goers by collecting excess amount from them“.
The Bench directed that whenever such a practice is followed by theatres, especially after the release of a new film, the Committee constituted by the Government “shall take steps to initiate action against the concerned theatre owner and direct refund of excess amount collected”. The Court also mandated that the Committee “shall also act upon any complaints that is received in this regard“.
Accordingly, the High Court disposed of the Writ Petition.
Cause Title: G.Devarajan v. The Special Tahsildar & Ors. (WP(C) NO. 32493 OF 2019)
