Women working in bars move High Court

The petitioners had moved the High Court seeking to restrain the police from interfering with their work. In their submission, the petitioners stated that despite the earlier orders of the court, the police were not allowing them to work.

Stating that the police is permitting only hi-tech discotheques to employ women as bar tenders, the petitioners submitted that this amounts to discrimination and violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.

“In spite of rules 9 and Section 20 of the Excise Act and Rules being declared unconstitutional and unenforceable in one of the writ petitions by owners of bars and restaurants, the police are restraining  us from functioning,” the petitioners said.

Frequent interference

The petitioners further submitted that though the Commissioner of Police had earlier given an undertaking stating that the police will never interfere with the appointment of women in bars, there has been frequent interference.

Citing the Upparpet Police action, where several cases have been booked against women working in the bars and restaurants, the petitioners said that the police concerned have violated the Court directions.

No reply from police

The petitioners also submitted that a representation to City Police Commissioner seeking permission to conduct business as per the law was made, but there was no reply from the Commissioner.

Justice Anand Byrareddy ordered emergent notice to Principal Secretary to Home
Department, DGP, City Police Commissioner and Inspector of Police in Upparpet police
station.