In a significant move to ensure the safety and well-being of minors, the Telangana High Court has barred children below the age of 16 from entering theaters and multiplexes after 11 PM. The interim order was issued by Justice B Vijaysen Reddy while hearing petitions filed in the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the premiere of Pushpa 2, which claimed one life and left others injured.
The Court directed the State government to take immediate steps to regulate the entry of minors during late-night and early-morning shows. Until a decision is made, the Court ruled that “children below 16 years should not be permitted to watch late-night movie shows after 11 PM in theaters and multiplexes.”
The matter arose from petitions challenging the increase in ticket prices for the movies Pushpa 2 and Game Changer and seeking safety measures to prevent stampedes during screenings. The petitioners, represented by Advocate Vijay Gopal, highlighted the adverse impact of late-night movie outings on the physical and mental health of children.
“The Government should have taken a prompt decision for regulating entry of minors in theatres, more particularly, in view of the unfortunate stampede incident during the benefit show of Pushpa – 2 in Sandhya Theatre, which led to grievous injuries to a minor boy and the death of his mother,” Gopal argued.
Justice Reddy expressed concern over the lack of regulations and observed, “In the considered opinion of this Court, the children below 16 years should not be permitted to watch late-night movie shows after 11 PM in theatres and multiplexes.”
The Court also called for broader consultation with stakeholders to issue necessary instructions for regulating entry during early morning and late-night hours. Furthermore, the Court asked the government to address the petitioners’ demand for banning movie screenings between 1:30 AM and 8:40 AM.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for February 22, with the Court urging the government to act swiftly in implementing these safety measures.
Case: Satish Kamaal vs The State of Telangana – Available on LAWFYI.IO
