Yesterday, a consumer court in Assam directed the owner of a cinema hall to pay ₹67,282 as compensation to a moviegoer who was bitten by a rat during the screening of a film in 2018.

The bench in its order, relied upon the Supreme Court's observations in the Uphaar Cinemas Fire Tragedy case, 

"It is the duty of the owner of the Cinema Hall to maintain the hygiene ... The oral testimony of the complainant is very clear that the cinema hall was not clean and rabbits are definitely moving around for want of food as popcorn and other food items are lying on the floor as alleged ... This fact have given the impression that there is no regular sweeping after each show and no proper hygiene and supervision was made to ensure the safety and hygiene condition of the cinema hall," said Court

Case Brief -

The incident took place back in 2018, in Galleria Cinemas at Bhangagarh in Guwahati. 

The complainant alleged that during the screening of the film she realised her foot was bleeding as something bit her during the interval. She was initially kept under observation for two hours as it was not known what had bitten her at the time. It was submitted that the cinema's manager had only agreed to accompany the woman to the hospital later but had eventually not shown up.

The strong medicines she had to take subsequently caused her a lot of hardship, it was submitted. She sought a compensation of ₹6 lakh including ₹3.5 lakh for mental agony, ₹2.5 lakh for pain and suffering and the rest for medical expenses.

The cinema hall owner contended that the complaint was not maintainable, and she had been offered first aid on the spot.

The woman countered, saying they had only offered her free tickets for her next film at the venue when they went for a settlement.

The DCDRC noted that the allegations of being bitten were not rebutted. Therefore, the hall was guilty of negligence in its duty to provide proper service under the Cinematograph Act.

It, therefore, directed that a compensation of ₹67,000 be paid within 45 days, failing which it shall face an interest of 12 per cent per annum till the payment of the amount.