Supreme Court of India permits Mumbai Dance
bars to reopen
On 17th July 2013, a Bench of the Supreme Court of
India headed by CJI Altamas Kabir passed yet another important judgment in the
case of “State of Maharashtra & others vs Indian Hotel &
Restaurants Association & others”. The Supreme Court quashed the ban
imposed about 7 years ago by Maharashtra govt. on the functioning of Dance bars
in Mumbai. The Govt of Maharashtra had in 2005 brought in an amendment in
the Bombay Police Act which was then challenged in the High court by
an association representing restaurants and bars. The High Court gave relief to
the dance bar owners but the Govt had challenged High Court’s verdict in the
Supreme Court.
The dance bar owners will now have to apply for a license to
the government before reopening.
Sunil Goel
advocate
B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm
