Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Social Service branch of the Mumbai Police raided three dance bars on Thursday evening for operating without permission under the new state legislation. DCP Pravin Patil (Enforcement) confirmed that three bars in the city — Topaz, Mehfil and Pink Plaza — were functioning without requisite permissions under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women Act, 2016.
In raids which began around 9 pm and continued for over two hours, 55 women were rescued and 56 persons, including bar owners, managers and customers were booked, Patil confirmed. “Under the new legislation, any dance bar functioning without required permissions is in violation. The punishment under the Act is five years’ imprisonment and Rs 25 lakh as fine. We have booked the accused under Section 8 of the Act, which is a non-bailable and cognizable offence,” said Patil. He added that the SS branch is still in the process of investigating violations by these three bars and will arrest those booked after ascertaining each of their roles.
On March 15, the Supreme Court had struck down the ban on dance bars brought by the state government over a decade ago. The police had issued certain guidelines before granting licences for dance bars to reopen. Last week, three dance bars had received conditional licences from the police. The conditions put forth as per the legislation include shutting down the bars at 11.30 pm and not serving alcohol in the dance areas.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
