Grant licence to dance bars by March 15: SC to Maharashtra

Maharashtra’s dance bars will spring back to life after the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the state government to grant licences to dance bars by March 15.

The court also refused to allow the state government’s demand that there be a live feed from a dance bar to the nearest police station. The court said that CCTV coverage of the performance area would be a violation of privacy.

However, the court said the CCTV can be permitted for security purposes at entrance gate.

In addition to the CCTV rule, the SC has modified seven conditions imposed by the Maharashtra Police for granting licences to dance bars in the state. 

The apex court had last October stayed a law passed by the Maharashtra assembly banning dance bars, following which more than 150 dance bars started the process of re-opening, including seeking mandatory licenses.