Mumbai Dance Bar Girls Can Now Be Given Tips; List of New Rules After Supreme Court Order

Mumbai, January 17: Relaxing the norms of the stringent conditions imposed earlier by Maharashtra state government, the Supreme Court on Thursday paved the way for new dance bars opening in Mumbai and other cities of the state. Also, from now on bar girls can be given tips for their performances.

Setting aside the state government’s 2005 order, the apex court questioned the ‘good character’ aspect of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act. According to this act, only people with good character can attain the licence for dance bars, and it is difficult to define the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ character. Supreme Court to Hear Plea for Police Protection for 2 Women who Entered Sabarimala Temple.

Announcing the verdict, the apex court bench headed by Justice A K Sikri set aside the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in the dance bar. Along with this, the bench also announced that from now on ‘tips can be given but showering of cash and coins is not allowed inside bars.”

However, the Supreme Court imposed two restrictions for dance bars, stating that no dance bar can’t operate within a one-kilometre radius of educational institutes and religious places. The second restriction the bench also said that liquor could be served inside the dance bar, but only from 6 pm to 11:30 pm.

The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict in August last year after hotel and restaurant owners challenged the Maharashtra government’s order of 2016, imposing stringent restrictions on dance bars.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 17, 2019 06:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).