(Image source from: Mumbai dance bars to boogie again})

8 long years after Maharashtra government closed down dance bars across Mumbai, the Supreme Court on Tuesday permanently lifted the ban, making way for dance bars to reopen across the city and other parts in the state.

Exercising judgment on the constitutionality of the prohibition, the apex court doled out verdict in favor of the bar owners and dancer unions, who contented that the ban imposed under Bombay Police (Amendment) Act of 2005 directly clashed against the rule of equality enshrined in Article 14.

The Police Act barred 'any type of dancing’ in an “eating house, permit room or beer bar” in three star and hotels and above or any other ‘elite’ organization.

The case was pushed to the apex court after High Court passed judgment in favor of the bar and dancer association stating that the Act stood in strict violation of  Article 19 of the Constitution that allowed individuals the right carry on one's profession.

The HC also maintained that banning dances in bars and hotels solely stood in direct conflict with the rule of equality.

The State Government, however, maintained that the ban stood in public interest. It alleged that dancing in bar was obscene and vulgar and debauched morals and contributed in trafficking, prostitution and  increased exploitation of women.

AW: Suchorita Dutta