Maharashtra dance bars: SC relaxes stringent provisions, allows alcohol, says no cctvs
New Delhi, Jan 17 (IBNS) :In a major relief for dance bars in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court Thursday relaxed some provisions of the state law set by the Devendra Fadnavis government for obtaining licenses for operations, media reports said.
The top court said, “There may be regulations but that should not amount to total prohibition.”
A bench headed by Justice A K Sikri modified some of the provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016 and permitted the bars to function from 6 pm to 11:30 pm and also allowed sale of liquor in the premises.
The court also set aside the condition to install CCTV cameras in the bars on grounds of privacy and prohibited showering of currency notes on the dancers. Payment of tips to the performers is allowed, the court said.
The bench also quashed the provision mandating that dance bars in the state should be located at least one km away from religious places and educational institutes.
The state government was of the view that dance bars are “against the culture of Maharashtra” and that “social stigma” has a “negative impact on youngsters”.
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