Madhya Pradesh High Court Calls For Discussions With Stakeholders On Delays Caused By Excessive Advertisements In Cinema Halls
The petition sought action against multiplex cinemas for exceeding the allowed time for advertisements.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court, while hearing the petition regarding delays caused by excessive advertisements in cinema halls, observed that the issue requires administrative deliberation rather than immediate judicial intervention.
The petition was filed by a law student from Gwalior, who sought action against multiplex cinemas for exceeding the allowed time for advertisements, which causes significant inconvenience to moviegoers.
A Division Bench of Justice Anand Pathak and Justice Hirdesh said, "this Court expects the authorities to engage in meaningful discussion with all stakeholders because one can not forget that "Time is a valuable Resource" and how the divergent views can be reconciled, is to be seen by the respondents."
Advocate Yogesh Chaturvedi appeared for the Petitioner and Deputy Solicitor General Praveen Kumar Newaskar appeared for the Respondent.
The petitioner argued that although movie tickets list a specific start time, screenings are delayed due to prolonged advertisements, thus disrupting viewers' schedules and causing inconvenience.
The petitioner requested the Court to direct the authorities to create and enforce guidelines that ensure movie theaters in India strictly adhere to the advertised showtimes as indicated on the tickets. Alternatively, the petitioner suggested that tickets include two separate timings: one for the theater opening and another for the actual start of the movie.
Initially, the High Court observed that the issue did not seem to be ripe for judicial adjudication. The Court indicated that the matter required administrative deliberation and decision-making rather than judicial intervention at this stage. The Court suggested, "It is to be discussed and decided at policymaking stage as well as at the stage of administrative decision-making so that multiple stakeholders involved into it, may be consulted and due deliberations/discussions be carried out at appropriate level by the concerned authorities. Thereafter, if required, appropriate decision/guidelines be prepared and passed."
The Court observed that the Union government must take a decision on this issue after considering the suggestions of all stakeholders. It also granted the petitioner the liberty to submit a detailed representation along with the petition to the concerned authorities, outlining the issue in an objective manner.
The Court directed the relevant authorities to consider the matter objectively, after consulting all stakeholders, and to make a decision in accordance with the law.
Cause Title: Swati Agrawal v. Union of India & Ors., [2025:MPHC-GWL:4471]
Appearance:
Petitioner: Advocate Yogesh Chaturvedi
Respondents: Deputy Solicitor General Praveen Kumar Newaskar, Advocate AK Nirankari
