How is outside food a risk, asks Bombay HC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government to explain how permitting citizens to carry food from outside into multiplexes could pose a security threat. The high court chided the state government after it filed an affidavit, saying that people are allowed to carry food inside cinema halls, but it could pose a serious security threat.

In the affidavit, the government said that it did not deem it fit to interfere with the current prohibition imposed by multiplexes on outside food since the same might create chaos or security issues. However, the court questioned that if outside food is allowed in aircraft, then why not in cinema halls?

A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Anuja Prabhudesai was hearing a PIL filed through advocate Aditya Pratap, seeking that the prohibition on outside food in multiplexes be revoked. The court said, “What kind of security threat would arise if outside food is allowed? People are not prohibited from carrying food to any other public place .”

The court said, "What kind of security threat would arise if outside food is allowed? People are not prohibited from carrying food to any other public place .  If people can be permitted to carry home food inside aircraft then why not to theatres?"

The bench also pointed out that a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the state has said that there is no specific legal provision behind such prohibition.

On June 27 this year, the court had asked the government why it could not regulate the prices of food items at multiplexes, which are exorbitant.

The bench is likely to conduct the next hearing in the case on September 3 this year.