The Supreme Court modified some provisions of law imposing restrictions on the functioning and licensing of dance bars in Maharashtra, ultimately paving the way for their reopening.
A bench, headed by Justice A K Sikri, gave some relaxations on 'stringent' conditions which were imposed by the state government on obtaining licenses for dance bars.
The bench revamped certain provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016 like the mandatory installation of CCTVs, saying there was no need for surveillance inside dance bars as it violates privacy.
The performers could be given a tip, the court said, but disallowed showering of cash and coins inside the bars.
Maharashtra cannot ban dance bars by taking recourse to regulating them, noting that since 2005 no licence has been issued. "Since 2005 till date, no licence has been issued. There may be regulation but that does not amount to total prohibition," the bench said.
It termed 'unreasonable' the provision that says that a dance bar should be one kilometre away from religious places, hospitals and educational institutions.
However, it left it to the state legislature to take a call on the issue.