Telangana High Court Stops Parking Fees at Single Screen Theatres from April 6

Single screen theatres in Telangana can no longer charge for parking, a change that puts them in line with multiplexes. This decision follows a High Court order.
By Newsroom | Law, Telangana |

The Telangana High Court has issued an interim order suspending a government order that permitted single-screen theatres to collect parking fees. This decision means that, for now, ticket-holding patrons at these traditional cinemas must not be charged for parking, aligning them with the rules already applicable to multiplexes. The court’s directive applies broadly to all standalone theatres across Telangana.

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The High Court's action came after a petition argued that imposing separate parking fees on moviegoers who have already purchased a ticket constitutes an unauthorized charge, not sanctioned by municipal law. This argument appears to have resonated with the court, leading to the temporary halt of the controversial government order. The matter is scheduled for further hearings on April 6.

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The suspended order, identified as GO 121 of 2021, had previously exempted single-screen theatres from a rule that mandates free parking for customers presenting a valid bill or movie ticket, a rule that already applied to multiplexes and other commercial establishments. The court's recent ruling effectively cancels this exemption, placing single-screen cinemas under the same obligation as their multiplex counterparts.

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This development is expected to offer some relief to moviegoers frequenting these older theatres. However, reports suggest that for some single-screen establishments, already facing financial strains, this ruling could introduce further operational difficulties. Industry stakeholders are reportedly awaiting further clarification and observing how theatre owners and the state government will navigate this new mandate.

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The petition that triggered this judicial intervention was reportedly initiated by a couple, who subsequently approached the High Court. The court’s ruling is not confined to the specific theatre mentioned in the initial petition but is considered a wide-reaching directive impacting all single-screen cinemas operating within municipal areas. The Union government's stance, noting that transgender persons are not covered under a particular Act, was also referenced in the proceedings, though its direct relevance to the parking fee issue remains unelaborated in the provided summaries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Telangana High Court stop single screen theatres from charging parking fees?
The Telangana High Court stopped single screen theatres from charging parking fees because a petition argued it was an unauthorized charge for people who already bought a ticket. The court agreed and put a temporary stop to the government order allowing these fees.
Q: What does the Telangana High Court's decision mean for people going to single screen cinemas?
It means that people with movie tickets at single screen theatres in Telangana will not have to pay for parking for now. This is the same rule that already applies to multiplex cinemas.
Q: When will the Telangana High Court's decision on parking fees take effect?
The High Court has issued an interim order suspending the government order. The matter will be heard again on April 6, and the suspension is in place until then.
Q: Does this decision apply to all single screen theatres in Telangana?
Yes, the High Court's ruling applies to all standalone theatres across Telangana. It means they must follow the same parking rules as multiplexes.
Q: What was the government order that allowed parking fees at single screen theatres?
The government order was GO 121 of 2021. It had given single screen theatres a special permission to charge for parking, unlike multiplexes and other businesses which have to offer free parking with a bill.