3 days ago
Plea seeks to curb excessive ticket pricing by multiplexes
Kochi: High court has sought the state govt's stand in a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking judicial intervention to regulate alleged profiteering by multiplex operators through excessive ticket pricing.
A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji directed the state govt to file a counter affidavit and adjourned the matter to July 1. The petition was filed by G Manu Nair, a resident of Thiruvarppu in Kottayam.
In the petition, Nair alleged that cinema chains routinely inflate ticket prices based on demand, time slot and release status, resulting in exorbitant rates, particularly during the initial week of screening.
He contended that such price fluctuations occur without any public approval or oversight by licensing authorities under the Kerala Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1958 and its Rules.
The petitioner further pointed out that several Indian states have introduced legal mechanisms to cap cinema ticket rates and ensure affordability. Andhra Pradesh, for instance, imposed upper limits for various theatre classes and mandated a quota of affordable seats. Telangana introduced price caps across seating categories, and Karnataka directed a ceiling of Rs 200 for multiplex tickets. Tamil Nadu has not only instituted a price control regime but also ensured judicial oversight through directions issued by the Madras high court for strict enforcement against overcharging, he added.
