DEEP SNACK BAR Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS judgment will dispose of C. W. P. Nos. 4666, 4914, 5006, 5110, 5122, 5148, 5182, 5190, 5291 and 5292 of 1983 relating to Sirsa District, Nos. 4807 to 4809 and 4924 of 1983 relating to Sonepat District, No. 4828 of 1983 relating to Jind District and No. 5075 of 1983 relating to Kurukshetra District, which involve common questions of law and fact. The facts in the judgment are being given from C. W. P. No. 4807 of 1983.

(2.) THE petitioners are running restaurants, snacks bars and soft drink corners in district Sonepat. They have installed V. C. Rs. in their business premises. It is alleged that they are providing entertainment to their customers on taking service charges which is an ancillary purpose. The V. C. Rs. are licenced under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

(3.) THE District Magistrate, Sonepat, respondent 2, exercising powers alleged to be conferred on him under the Haryana Cinemas Regulation Act, 1952 (hereinafter referred to as the Haryana Act) issued a general order dated 3rd October, 1983 (copy Annexure P. 1 ). prohibiting exhibition of cinematograph by means of Video sets in places other than licensed under that Act in Sonepat district. It is further provided therein that any contravention in respect thereof would be dealt with under Section 7 On 3rd October, 1983, a Munadi was made in the town of Sonepat and it was pro-claimed that no person would display or exhibit any video film at any public place without obtaining the license from the District Magistrate, Sonepat. After the Munadi, the local police came to the petitioners' place and served on them the order Annexure P. 1. This order has been challenged by the petitioners through the writ petition.