The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ordered issue of notices to the State government and the Bangalore City Police Commissioner on a petition challenging the new guidelines issued for operating discothèques, live-bands, bar and restaurants and other liquor serving joints where women are employed.
Justice A.S. Bopanna passed the order on the petitions filed by Akanksha Enterprises and several others questioning the July 6 guidelines for licensing and controlling places of public entertainment.
It has been contended in the petition that new rules cannot be imposed on them in the guise of guidelines without amending or rescinding the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment (Bangalore City) Order, 2005, under which these petitioners’ establishments are operating.
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Claiming that the guidelines were a clear violation of fundamental right like equality before law and to carry out any business, the petitioners have pointed out that they have been carrying their businesses by obtaining licences under Excise Law as well as under the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment (Bangalore City) Order, 2005.