Meeting on dance bars planned

The State government would convene a meeting of bar and restaurant owners to formulate guidelines on employing women in these establishments, the High Court was told on Monday.

The Bangalore Ladies Working Bar and Restaurant Owners’ Association had moved the High Court seeking intervention to ensure smooth functioning of the bars. It alleged that the City police were interfering in their day-to-day business by forcibly closing the bars on the pretext of law and order.

The petitioner contended that the police could not shut down the establishments in question and such an intervention would be “unjust, arbitrary and illegal” as their businesses were licensed.

Not a single case was registered against any bar or restaurant, hence police interference should be stopped, the petitioner submitted.

Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar submitted that the government would streamline the activities after convening a meeting of bar and restaurant owners. “We will also invite their suggestions,” he told the court, following which Justice Mohan Shantanagowdar adjourned the matter.