In an interim relief to Maharashtra, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay the operation of a new law meant to regulate the licensing and functioning of dance bars across the State, though it questioned some of its provisions.
The apex court, however, allowed three dance bars which were granted licences by the State administration to continue to function under the old rules and directions issued by it from time to time.
A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan, during the brief hearing, questioned certain new provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016.
“How can there be CCTV cameras in the performance areasIJ Is it not the infringment of right to privacyIJ We have no objection to installation of CCTV cameras at the entrance of dance bars,” the Bench said.
Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Maharashtra, said the police cannot be stripped of its investigating right by not allowing CCTVs in the performance areas of dance bars. “These are security arrangements and CCTV footage is a crucial evidence. Tomorrow, if anything happens in the dance bars, this footage will help. To ensure that regulations are complied with by the dance bars, we need the CCTVs in performance areas,” Naphade said.