Mumbai: Money cannot be thrown at women in Maharashtra's dance bars, the Supreme Court said today, stressing, "It is against the dignity of women, culture and decency."
On this point alone, the top court was in agreement with the state government, which is in favour of close monitoring of the bars that includes filming dancers.
Hundreds of dance bars banned by Maharashtra in 2005 were allowed to reopen by the Supreme Court in 2013. Owners of the bars had to reapply for licenses, with the court over-ruling the government's contention that the dance bars are a bad influence on society and encourage prostitution.
In April, the government passed a new law to regulate dance bars. However, associations of women who perform at these bars say that the government has made it impossible to get licenses by annexing conditions that are hard to meet.
Today's case was based on an industry association of restaurants in Mumbai who have taken the state government to court alleging that the law, which is vague in its definition of obscenity and bans alcohol in bars, is tough to adhere to. The petitioners also said that the requirement of CCTVs violates the constitutional right to privacy of the dancers.
"How can you install CCTV in bars it is against our 2013 judgement?" the judges said, setting the next date of hearing for Sept 21.
On this point alone, the top court was in agreement with the state government, which is in favour of close monitoring of the bars that includes filming dancers.
Hundreds of dance bars banned by Maharashtra in 2005 were allowed to reopen by the Supreme Court in 2013. Owners of the bars had to reapply for licenses, with the court over-ruling the government's contention that the dance bars are a bad influence on society and encourage prostitution.
Today's case was based on an industry association of restaurants in Mumbai who have taken the state government to court alleging that the law, which is vague in its definition of obscenity and bans alcohol in bars, is tough to adhere to. The petitioners also said that the requirement of CCTVs violates the constitutional right to privacy of the dancers.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Man Bites Off Part Of Father's Thumb During Argument Over Property Near Mumbai: Cops Will Back Any Candidate Announced As Chief Minister Face: Uddhav Thackeray Supriya Sule's Dig At "Brothers", Days After Ajit Pawar's "Mistake" Claim How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan "Probably First Time Since '87/88...": Omar Abdullah On J&K Poll Dates Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death Nigerian Man Visits 150 Fast Food Restaurants In 24 Hours To Set World Record Man Bites Off Part Of Father's Thumb During Argument Over Property: Cops Sikh Woman, Minor Son Kidnapped By 2 In Pakistan Rescued: Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.