India, Sept. 23 -- The Karnataka high court on Tuesday stayed the state's decision to cap movie ticket prices at Rs.200. Justice Ravi Hosmani granted an interim stay, meaning the cap cannot take effect until the high court hears and decides the matter.

The court passed the order on petitions of the Multiplex Association of India, film production companies, and a shareholder of PVR Innox, challenging the imposition of a maximum limit on the price of movie theatre tickets in Karnataka.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, Dhyan Chinappa, and Uday Holla represented the petitioners who contended that the cap was arbitrary, beyond legislative authority, and violated the fundamental right to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g). Rohatgi argued t...