The SC, however, has given the licensing authority six weeks to look into the possibility of issuing licences to about 50 applicants on the basis old norms
Continuing its resistance towards reopening of dance bars, the state government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that "there's no art in the dance performed by these dancers".
During a hearing in the apex court in the Mumbai dance bar case, the government counsel said, "There's no art in their dance, they aren't trained artistes and hence their dance may become obscene."
The SC, however, has given the licensing authority six weeks to look into the possibility of issuing licences to about 50 applicants on the basis old norms.
"We are yet to get the order. What we have learnt is that SC has told the licensing authority to come up with a solution," said a senior home department official.
Sources say that the state government further submitted that the bars must have CCTVs on the premises since "they are visited by criminal elements".
On September 21, the apex court had ruled in favour of three bar owners who had challenged the "stringent" norms imposed by the state government to ensure "women's safety". A division bench of the top court, headed by justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan, had then allowed the three bars with proper CCTVs to function.
Batting for age restrictions, the government counsel also said individuals under 21 should not be allowed to go to dance bars as they could be "spoiled". "Those below 21 can't be allowed as they can get spoiled by the kind of amusement these bars provide. They must be kept away from such an atmosphere," the counsel said.
On August 30, the top court had issued a notice to the state government over the new law for dance bar licences asking it to reply within six months. The Dance Bar Regulation Bill, which was unanimously passed by the Maharashtra Assembly on April 13, also prohibits serving liquor in performance areas. It also imposes heavy penalties on dance bar owners and customers for not following these rules.
The dance bar owners objected to the restrictions imposed by the state government. Rules like maintaining a mandatory distance of one kilometre from any religious or educational structure, closing the dance bars before 11.30 pm and others have hit the dance bar business, claim the bar owners.
—With inputs from Agencies
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