After court's ruling, Bangalore set to rock again

After court's ruling, Bangalore set to rock again
New Indian Express

NEW DELHI/BANGALORE: The Supreme Court on Friday permitted restaurants in Bangalore to continue live band shows subject to certain conditions, while disposing off a petition filed by a few joints in Karnataka.

The bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal and Justice A.R. Lakshmanan passed the order while disposing of special leave petitions filed by Karnataka Live Ban Restaurant Association, Night Lover Bar and Restaurant and others challenging a Karnataka High Court order rejecting their plea to allow live band shows.

The apex court added that the restaurants should not allow shows that are immoral, obscene or indecent and should not encourage prostitution.

The bench said: "We are of the view that the High Court should have permitted live band to continue, keeping in view the interest of the members of the association for ensuring their livelihood."

At the same time, the bench said it could not overlook some requirements of infrastructure to be fulfilled by the members of the association. The bench noted that the appellants had no objection if certain conditions were imposed while allowing live band shows.

The bench, therefore, said that live band shows would be permitted subject to three conditions; the shows should not promote public gambling, the premises should not be used as a gambling house and the shows should not encourage prostitution or allow the use of narcotic substances or permit any other illegal activity.

The bench made it clear that its order would be in force until the Commissioner of Police, Bangalore framed appropriate rules in accordance with the observations made by the single judge of the high court and affirmed by the division bench and requisite licences were granted.