Maharashtra Govt. to explore more legal options on dance bars issue

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that he respected the Supreme Court order regarding issuance of fresh licences to the dance bars but added that his government would explore more legal options.

"We respect the verdict of Supreme Court. However, the state government is principally against opening of the dance bars but since the verdict is given by the Supreme Court, so we will explore more legal options including legislative intervention," he told ANI.

"We feel Mumbai and Maharashtra don't need dance bars," he added.

The apex court earlier today asked the Maharashtra Government to follow orders and start the process of issuing fresh licenses to the dance bars.

An apex court bench of Justices Dipak Misra and P C Pant said the Maharashtra Government must start issuing fresh licences to dance bars in two weeks time while expressing disappointment that the state was yet to implement its earlier order.

The Maharashtra Government had amended the 2005 Bombay Police Act, which was challenged in the High Court by the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association.

The Bombay High Court had on April 12, 2006, quashed the government's decision and declared the provision unconstitutional, saying it was against Article 19(1)(g) (to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business) of the Constitution.

However, the state government had moved the apex court against the High Court's order the same year.

On July 16, 2013, the Supreme Court had upheld the Bombay High Court verdict quashing the state government's order and said the ban violated the constitutional right to earn a living.

The state assembly had on June 13 last year passed the Maharashtra Police (second amendment) Bill, which prevented licenses for dance performances in three-star and five-star hotels.

The ban also covered drama theatres, cinema halls, auditoriums, sports clubs and gymkhanas, where entry is restricted only to members.