City’s nightlife plan hits HC hurdle over women’s safety

The court questioned whether the proposed policy would apply to residential or non-residential areas.

[related-post]

“The government can’t take a decision to open pubs, bars and restaurants all night without proper assessment regarding security of women by carrying out a study. Otherwise the entire exercise being carried out will be futile and we will be taking a step backwards,” observed the HC.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation along with a suo-moto matter taken up following a molestation incident on a local train between Nerul and Juinagar stations a few years ago.

The Justice (retd) CS Dharmadhikari committee, set up in 2010 to recommend measures to curb crimes against women, had submitted its recommendations to the court. “The Dharamadhikari Committee has done extensive research on the issue of women’s safety. If the government refers the issue to the committee, it can look into the impact of this decision and possible steps to be taken to ensure women’s safety,” the court said.

The section officer of the Home department on Friday said he required three weeks’ time to file an affidavit as the legislature was currently in session.

The Dharmadhikari committee had suggested a ban on women waiters among its 171 recommendations in six reports. The government had accepted 109 recommendations.

ruhi.bhasin@expressindia.com