The Karnataka high court on Wednesday ruled that women can be employed in bars and pubs. The order was pronounced by Justice D V Shylendra Kumar.

A petition challenging the validity of Rule 9 of the Karnataka Excise Act had been moved in the court. The rule stated that no women should be employed in bars and pubs in Karnataka.

Women were also prohibited from serving liquor in Karnataka. The rule was brought into force in the state following a ban on live bands too.

The petitioners argued that the ban on women from working in bars or pubs amounted to discrimination and, thus, was bad in law. They sought a reversal of the ban stating that equality should be maintained.

Justice Kumar, while allowing the petition, ruled that women could be employed in bars and pubs in Karnataka.