Ban on dance bars to stay: SC

SC has admitted an appeal by M'rashtra Govt against the Bombay HC order that scrapped the legislation banning bars.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday admitted an appeal by the Maharashtra government against the Bombay High Court judgement striking down the legislation banning dance performance in licensed eating houses, permit rooms and bars across the state.

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However, the apex court did not give any interim relief to the dance bars saying that the stay granted by the High Court for renewal of licenses for eight weeks will continue till further orders.

A Bench of Justice BN Aggarwal and Justice PP Naolekar posted the matter for hearing in July.

The Bombay HC on April 12 had quashed an amendment to the Bombay Police Act that banned dance bars.

The High Court had given eight weeks to the state to challenge the verdict.

The legislation was quashed on the ground that it was unconstitutional as it discriminated between dance performances in beer-bars and ordinary eateries - which was banned - and those in theatres, auditoriums and three star and above hotels - which were exempted.