HYDERABAD: A Division Bench of the High Court on Thursday directed the State Government to issue notices to cinema halls across the State to comply with the stipulated safety measures giving them time and then take punitive action against those not falling in line.

Shocked by the scale of non-compliance, the Bench headed by the Chief Justice wanted the safety standards in accordance with the National Buildings Code (NBC). Punitive action should include non-renewal of licence.

Petition

The Bench on Thursday was dealing with a petition wherein the Government was asked to conduct survey and submit a report. The Bench was shocked at the details furnished by the officers. The officers informed that 2,158 cinema halls in the State have not complied with the condition to install fire fighting equipment and 1,086 did not have the emergency lighting back up as required in the National Buildings Code.

In all, 420 theatres did not provide for the smoke management and 271 did not have proper means of escape systems in the event of fire. It was also disclosed that 758 cinema halls did not comply with open space standards. The Bench reminded that safety was paramount and adjourned the matter to facilitate the authorities to issue notices and report back to the court.

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