On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the owner of a movie theater has the right to regulate the bringing of outside food and drinks into the theater. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha stated that a movie theater is the private property of the owner, who has the right to set terms and conditions, as long as they do not go against public interest or safety.

The court added that when a viewer enters a movie theater, they must adhere to the rules set by the owner, and it is the owner’s commercial decision to regulate the entry of food and drinks. The court also noted that theater owners generally allow a reasonable amount of food for infants when they are accompanied by a parent and that drinking water is usually provided for free.

The ruling came as the court heard a group of appeals from theater owners and the Multiplex Association of India, challenging a 2018 verdict from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which had ordered theaters not to prevent moviegoers from bringing their own food and drinks. The Supreme Court overturned this order, stating that the High Court exceeded its jurisdiction in issuing it. The court ruled that the fundamental issue at hand was the trade and business of movie theaters, and while the government’s rules do not prohibit bringing outside food into theaters, the owner has the right to set terms and conditions for their business.