KOCHI: Gymnasiums should obtain a licence from the local body concerned under the Kerala Places of Public Resort Act, 1963 in addition to a trade licence, a single bench of the Kerala High Court has held.
After considering two petitions (WP-C Nos. 22937/2021&16195/2022) regarding operation of a gym without obtaining a licence under the Act, justice PV Kunhikrishnan held that a licence is a must. The court ordered the state government to direct all the corporations, municipalities, and panchayats to issue notices to gymnasiums if they are working without obtaining a licence under the Act. No gym should be closed down immediately for not having the licence and a reasonable time of three months should be granted for applying for the licence, the court said.
A licence under the Act is required for a gym as it falls under section 2(b), which defines ‘places of public resort or entertainment’. In addition to gyms, other places mentioned are race courses, circus, theatre, music hall, billiard room, bagatelle room, and fencing school.
In the Act, a place of public resort or entertainment, which requires a licence, is defined as “any place, enclosure, building, tent, booth or other erection whether permanent or temporary, where music, singing, dancing or any diversion or game or the means of carrying on the same is provided., and to which public are admitted either on payment of money or with the intention that money may be collected from those admitted, otherwise than for bonafide charitable or religious purpose.”
