The Telangana High Court Criticised The State Government For This!

The Telangana High Court Criticised The State Government 

Stating the government to reconsider its decision, Justice Reddy said if it fails to act, the court will be forced to pass prohibitory orders against the special shows. The judge questioned under which provision of law the price was enhanced by Rs 100 for multiplexes and Rs 50 for standalone theatres. The judge issued specific directions to the Special Secretary, Home Department, to review and reconsider the memo issued for Game Changer.

Further, it directed not to permit any special shows in future without considering public interest, health and safety. The judge was dealing with separate writ pleas filed by one Satish Kamal and Bharat Raj, challenging the memo issued by the Home Department permitting special shows and a hike in ticket prices.

The petitioners argued that the memo is in violation of the Cinema Regulation Act and Rules and the GO 120. The Chief Minister himself had made statements on the floor of the Assembly stating there shall be no special shows or price hike, according to the petitioners.

Recollecting the unfortunate stampede at Sandhya theatre during the premiere of Pushpa 2, the judge questioned the government pleader and said, “You said you will not permit special shows after Pushpa 2, what happened? Tomorrow they will want to screen for 24 hours, will you allow it? Whatever name you may give permitting a show at 4 am, it is a benefit show.”

“People should sleep at 4 am not go to the movies,” the judge remarked. “We are not in New York City that never sleeps, people should sleep at an appropriate time, if not something is wrong. Economic development does not mean working at night, it means economic peace,” the judge further said.

The judge wanted the Advocate General to respond on the legal aspect as to why the Special Secretary had issued the memo when the appropriate authority is the Chief Secretary of the government.

Till someone was not 16 years of age, children shouldn't go to movie theatres after 12 am because he would end up returning home by 2 am. The judge opined that midnight shows must not be allowed and ordered the State government to take the necessary steps so that such shows were not continued in theatres, in the event of this not being done, he threatened to pass an order to this effect.

The judge sent the matter for further hearing to January 24 but directed the government to strictly comply with specific directives issued by the court.