The Social Service wing of Mumbai police on Monday raided a bar in suburban Ghatkopar and arrested 44 girls for allegedly making obscene gestures while dancing inside a bar.
The girls were arrested along with the owner of 'Viraj Bar and Restaurant', Dilip V Shinde and managers Surendra Shetty and Sadanand Shetty, a senior official from the Social Service Branch, which carried out the raid in the wee hours, said.
"We have booked the girls under the Bombay Police Act for making obscene gestures while dancing inside the bar. Twelve singers and musicians, who were part of two orchestra troupes performing on two different floors have also been arrested as the hotel owner did not have valid licenses to conduct such shows," said the officer.
Under the law, girls can only work as waitress serving food and liquor till 2130 hours inside a bar but they were found dancing while making obscene gestures, the officer said, adding this is the biggest action taken by the SSB till date.
Those arrested will be produced at a court for remand later in the day.