SC paves way for reopening of dance bars in Maharashtra; quashes some restrictions

Decks were cleared for the return of dance bars in Maharashtra with the Supreme Court Thursday quashing some of the stringent restrictions imposed by the state government that made it virtually impossible to get licences for these entertainment establishments.

In a relief to dance bar owners and employees, the apex court held there can be "regulations" but not "total prohibition" and also overturned the rule that prohibited serving alcohol in the bars.

The bench, however, upheld the provision restricting the timing of operation of dance bars from 6 pm to 11.30 pm and allowed tips to be directly given to the performers but disallowed showering of currency on them.

The Bharatiya Bar Girls' union president Varsha Kale, who has been fighting for the cause of bar dancers, said the verdict was a great "victory" since some of the dancers were forced to join flesh trade. Manjit Singh Sethi, who spearheaded the fight to reopen dance bars and moved the Bombay High Court earlier, also welcomed the decision.

Setting aside some provisions of a 2016 act that imposed restrictions on licensing and functioning, a bench headed by Justice A K Sikri said no licences have been granted for dance bars after the amendment to the Maharashtra Police Act in 2005.

Though the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016 "appears to be regulatory in nature, the real consequences and effect is to prohibit such dance bars", it added