Hold 24/7 restaurant, bar policy

The state government's proposed policy to keep pubs, restaurants and bars open 24/7 in Mumbai received a major jolt on Friday.

The Bombay high court has stayed its implementation until it is satisfied that adequate measures are put in place to ensure the safety of women.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and A K Menon said: "We cannot restrict the state from taking a policy decision. However, if it is taken or is being taken, then, before it is implemented, the state will have to satisfy the court that the impact on the safety of women is considered."

The bench passed this order after the government sought three weeks' time to inform whether a policy decision to allow restaurants and bars to remain open 24/7 will be taken.

"Unless you make a study, you will not take a decision. Consider the impact of safety of women. Otherwise, the recommendations given by the Justice C S Dharmadhikari committee will be futile," the bench said.

It directed the state to refer to the Dharmadhikari committee report. "The report has given several recommendations, and if the policy is introduced, then those will be futile. We will be going a step backward," the bench said.

The Dharmadhikari Committee, while recommending a complete ban on dance bars, had noted that there was a drop in cases of atrocities against women when the ban was in force.

The bench also suggested that vulgar activities on Facebook and other social networking sites, mobile phones and computers should be monitored and tackled urgently. Such sites fuel violent tendencies among youths, and, as such, there is an increase in cases of crimes against women, the committee said.

Keeping city pubs and restaurants open all night is the Sena's pet project. It was initiated by Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray last year. Recently, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria had also given a go-ahead to the proposal.