07 July,2026 10:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Bill was passed by a voice vote in the Assembly. Pic/PTI
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed a Bill that brings orchestra and live music performance licences under the scope of the state's law banning obscene dance performances in hotels, restaurants and bars, reported the PTI.
The legislation seeks to prevent the misuse of orchestra licences issued under Section 33 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, which the government said have been used in some cases to organise illegal and obscene dance performances.
The Bill was passed by a voice vote in the Assembly.
Replying to the debate, Minister Pankaj Bhoyar said the state had first attempted to strengthen the law in 2005, but legal proceedings prevented those changes from being implemented, as per the PTI.
He said the Maharashtra Hotel, Restaurant and Bar Rooms (Prohibition of Obscene Dance and Protection of Dignity of Women Working Therein) Act, 2016 was introduced to protect the dignity of women employed in such establishments.
However, the government later found that some businesses were using orchestra licences to hold performances that violated the spirit of the law.
According to the PTI, the amended law introduces tougher punishments for those found violating the rules. Anyone who organises or permits obscene dance performances could face:
Up to five years' imprisonment
A fine of up to Rs 25 lakh
Or both
Those operating an orchestra without the required licence or breaking licence conditions could face:
Up to three years' imprisonment
A fine of up to Rs 10 lakh
Or both
The government said the stricter penalties are intended to improve enforcement and discourage repeat offences.
The amendment also provides a legal definition of a live music performance.
It states that live music includes solo or group singing, with or without instrumental or recorded music, performed in hotels, restaurants or bar rooms.
These performances will now come under the provisions of the 2016 Act.
During the debate, several MLAs said local police officers should also be held responsible if illegal dance bars continue to operate in areas under their jurisdiction.
Some members claimed that such establishments could not function without official support and called for greater accountability.
Legislators proposed several additional measures to improve implementation of the law, including:
Mandatory CCTV recording of performances
Geo-tagging of complaints
Regular police inspections and monitoring
Members said these steps would help ensure better enforcement and increase transparency.
Some MLAs argued that stricter legal action alone would not solve the problem.
They urged the government to create alternative employment opportunities for women working in such establishments to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Several legislators also requested a clearer legal definition of the term "obscene dance" to ensure consistent enforcement and avoid misuse of the law, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
