Dance Bars : SC Asks Maharashtra Govt. To Decide In Two Weeks On Licence

26 November, New Delhi

The Supreme Court Thursday asked the Maharashtra government to implement its earlier order on dance bars and decide within two weeks the hoteliers’ application seeking grant of licence for running them in the state.

A bench of justices Dipak Misra and P C Pant expressed unhappiness that the state was yet to implement its earlier order. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Maharashtra, however, said that any direction of the court will be respected and adhered to.

Vinod Patil, President of R R Patil Foundation, in his plea had claimed that reopening of dance bars would increase crime.

The Maharashtra government had amended the 2005 Bombay
Police Act, which was challenged in high court by Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association.

The Bombay High Court on April 12, 2006 had quashed the government’s decision and declared the provision unconstitutional. However, the state government had moved the apex court against the high court’s order that same year.