Parking is free at single-screen theatres in Telangana, HC suspends GO 121
With the latest High Court directive, this exemption stands cancelled, bringing single-screen theatres on par with multiplexes
By Rajeswari Parasa
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Hyderabad: The next time you drive into a single-screen theatre in Telangana to catch a movie, you will not have to reach for your wallet to pay for parking.
In a major relief to moviegoers, the Telangana High Court has suspended Government Order (GO) 121 of 2021, effectively stripping single-screen theatres of the right to collect parking fees from ticket-holding customers.
What is the system at multiplexes and malls?
Under existing state laws, multiplexes and commercial establishments are mandated to provide free parking if a customer produces a valid bill or movie ticket. However, single-screen theatres had enjoyed a special exemption from this rule since 2021.
With the latest High Court directive, this exemption stands cancelled, bringing single-screen theatres on par with multiplexes.
The legal scrutiny was triggered by a writ petition filed by Prem Ramavath after Konark Theatre in Dilsukhnagar collected a Rs 20 parking fee from a moviegoer. Challenging this collection, a case was filed in the High Court.
Speaking to NewsMeter, High Court Advocate Vijay Gopal, who is associated with the case, explained the background of the issue: “In 2021, single-screen theatre owners approached the then-government and were exempted from the parking fee rule without any valid reasons. According to the law, if a commercial establishment’s customer has a bill or a movie ticket, parking must be provided for free,” he said.
Detailing the court’s latest decision, he added, “The High Court has now suspended GO 121 of 2021, which was issued by the MAUD department to exempt single-screen theatres from providing free parking. The court has made it clear that if a consumer has a movie ticket, parking is free.”
Applies to all single screens across Telangana
Advocate Vijay Gopal also clarified that this is a sweeping order and is not limited to just the theatre mentioned in the petition.
“This ruling applies to all single-screen theatres across Telangana, not just one specific theatre. The law has to be implemented uniformly for everyone; a Government Order cannot be set aside or applied selectively,” he noted.
