Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, May 12: In a big setback to the state government, the state High Court (HC) on Thursday, May 11 stayed the order of capping multiplex ticket price in the state saying the price cannot be regulated on weekends and public holidays.

The government had issued the order capping multiplex ticket price a Rs 200 on May 2. The order was implemented with effect from May 5.

Justice P S Dinesh Kumar from vacation bench of HC passed an ad-interim order staying the government order for three weeks till the next date of hearing. Price cap will not be applicable on Saturdays, Sundays and state public holidays till then.

After the order came from the government, FICCI Multiplex Association of India had approached HC seeking quashing of the government order. It argued that the state government does not have the authority to regulate multiplex ticket prices.

The petitioner also said that the order is against the provisions of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964.

“The multiplex tickets cannot be sold on a par with single screen tickets and if the order is implemented, it would cause huge losses to the multiplex owners.” the petitioner argued.

The judge stayed the government order and ordered notice to the state government and the department of information and Kannada culture.