Court strikes down Maharashtra's orders banning online ticket convenience fees
"If business owners are not permitted to determine the various facets of their business (in accordance with law), economic activity would come to a grinding halt," the bench said. It added that customers are free to choose whether to book tickets online or purchase them at the theatre.The court was hearing petitions filed by PVR Ltd, the FICCI-Multiplex Association of India, and BookMyShow (Big Tree Entertainment Pvt Ltd), which had challenged the orders banning recovery of any additional charges for online booking services.Senior advocate Naresh Thacker, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the orders infringed on constitutional freedoms and lacked any specific statutory backing.BookMyShow's counsel, advocate Rohan Rajadhyaksha, submitted that the directions constituted an unreasonable interference in private business agreements.The state, represented by Additional Government Pleader Milind More, defended the orders citing Article 162 of the Constitution and provisions of the Entertainment Duty Act.The court, however, rejected these arguments, noting that the cited sections did not empower the state to ban the collection of convenience fees. It concluded that the orders amounted to unauthorised restrictions on legitimate business practices and were thus liable to be quashed.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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