Mumbai police raid Kandivli bar, rescue 14 minor girls, 25 women

The Maharashtra government had banned dance bars in 2005, rendering an estimated 150,000 people, half of whom were dancers, jobless

Citing obscenity, the police’s social service branch raided a bar in Samtanagar, Kandivli on Saturday night and rescued 25 women and 14 minor girls. “We recovered cash worth Rs49,000 and musical instruments,” said a police officer.

Police also recovered cash worth Rs49,000 and musical instruments. (Photo for representation)

The police registered a case under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women Act, 2016. The act was introduced to “protect the dignity of women performing dance”. The objective of such norms, the government said, was to prevent obscene dancing in hotels, restaurants and bars, thereby protecting the dignity and safety of women working there.

The Maharashtra government had banned dance bars in 2005, rendering an estimated 150,000 people, half of whom were dancers, jobless. The Bombay high court struck down the order in 2006, but the state challenged it in the Supreme Court, which allowed a stay on grant of licences.

The Apex Court upheld the high court ruling in 2013 before finally lifting the ban in October 2015. The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Dance Bar Regulation Bill on April 13 last year. It included 26 conditions bar owners needed to comply with to get licences. However, dance bar owners had petitioned the Supreme Court, protesting some of the provisions.