Overview
- The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stayed the HC division bench’s directions requiring auditable, itemized records for every ticket with associated reporting.
- The earlier stay on Karnataka’s Rs 200 ticket-price cap remains in effect, and the single judge may continue hearing the underlying challenge.
- Notices were issued to respondents on petitions by the Multiplex Association of India and others, with the next Supreme Court hearing listed for November 25.
- During the hearing, the bench criticized steep multiplex pricing and indicated sympathy to a Rs 200 ceiling, citing concerns about empty halls.
- Petitioners said the HC’s directives are unworkable due to online intermediaries like BookMyShow and also questioned the state’s statutory authority to fix prices.