The Supreme Court on Thursday modified some conditions set by the Maharashtra government in 2016 imposing restrictions on licensing and functioning of dance bars in the state. The apex court has said that the state can regulate the bars but cannot prohibit them.
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A bench headed by Justice A.K. Sikri quashed certain provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016. The court said that bar rooms and dance floors can be together and that there was no need for partitions.
The SC has set aside the condition making it mandatory to install CCTVs in dance bars. The court observed that this violated privacy. The court has also said that performers in dance bars can be tipped, but clarified that tipping by 'showering of currency notes' was not to be allowed.
The court has also relaxed provision stating that dance bars have to be 1km away from religious places and educational institutions. But the top court has upheld condition fixing timing of dance bars from 6pm to 11.30pm.
