HC order brings relief to Juhu hotel

The Bombay high court, on Monday, asked the state government's licencing authorities not to discriminate while granting licence for discotheques in five star hotels. It also expressed doubts over the motive of the police officer who refused permission to the discotheque at Hotel Sea Princess to stay open till 3am.

The Bombay high court, on Monday, asked the state government's licencing authorities not to discriminate while granting licence for discotheques in five star hotels. It also expressed doubts over the motive of the police officer who refused permission to the discotheque at Hotel Sea Princess to stay open till 3am.

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The court was hearing a petition moved by Sea Princess Hotel Properties Private Limited, alleging that police authorities were disrupting their business thereby causing immense loss to them as well as to the workers. A division bench of justice PB Majmudar and justice RM Sawant had previously asked police authorities to consider renewal of the licence, since other five star hotels were operating similar establishments after obtaining licences. “How can you distinguish between Sea Princess and other hotels?” the court asked. “There is no reason to discriminate between hotels.”

The court also dismissed the government's fears of traffic problems. “Don't be negative. All hotels should be treated equally,” the court said.

Justice Majmudar stated that the police commissioner could be summoned to court if the state was unable to explain why the licence couldn't be granted. The judges, while disposing of the petition, now directed the licencing authorities to consider the application for licence, and dispose the Juhu hotel's application by September 20.