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  India   Supreme Court: Throwing money on bar girls ‘indecent’

Supreme Court: Throwing money on bar girls ‘indecent’

Published : Aug 31, 2016, 2:57 am IST
Updated : Aug 31, 2016, 2:57 am IST

Money cannot be thrown at women in Maharashtra’s dance bars, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, stressing, “It is against the dignity of women, culture, and decency.” However, it was on this point alo

Money cannot be thrown at women in Maharashtra’s dance bars, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, stressing, “It is against the dignity of women, culture, and decency.” However, it was on this point alone that the apex court was in agreement with the state government, which is in favour of close monitoring of the bars, including filming the dancers.

The SC issued a notice to the Maharashtra government over the new law for dance bar licenses and said the state government must file a reply within a period of six weeks. Earlier in May, the Maharashtra government had laid down new rules regarding the granting of licenses to dance bars.

Senior counsel Jayant Bhushan, appearing for the Association, argued that these conditions, including the installation of CCTVs in dance bars, are unconstitutional and affect the fundamental rights of bar girls. He said that the throwing of currency on dancing girls is prohibited, and no dance bar within one kilometre of religious places or educational institutions should be allowed. He also said that no liquor should be served in these bars.

Senior counsel Shekar Naphade, appearing for the Maharashtra government, opposed the petition saying that the prevention of obscenity was the policy of the state. The bench agreed with the state to a limited extent, saying, “Prima facie, we don’t find any illegality on this point. Currency can’t be thrown at dance women in bars. It is against the dignity of women, culture, and decency.” The bench, however, did not agree with the condition that CCTV cameras must be installed in bars, saying that such a regulation is against a 2013 judgment.

Bar owners questioned various provisions in the law, in particular the vague definition of “obscenity”, imposing conditions like a three-year jail term for bar owner if dancers indulge in obscenity, the ban on liquor in the dancing area, the mandatory partition between the hotel and the dancing area and CCTV in the performing area and restriction of dance performances only till 11:30 while bars are open till

1.30 am. Mr Bhushan argued that even after repeated orders, unreasonable hurdles should not be placed on bar owners.

Location: India, Delhi, New Delhi