In an attempt to end frequent complaints of police interference even in genuine beauty parlours, spas and massage parlours, the Madras High Court on Monday directed the Home Secretary to issue a newspaper publication inviting applications from owners of such parlours for obtaining a trade licence before June 30.
Justice K. Ravichandrabaabu directed the State government to issue a circular to all corporations and municipalities asking them to invite applications from such parlours and spas and issue trade licences before June 30. Till then, the officials concerned, including the police, should maintain a status quo, he ordered.
“However, the above order of status quo will not be a bar for the law enforcing authorities to take appropriate action against any of the beauty parlour/spa/massage parlour, if they receive any complaint against them of some illegal or unlawful activities allegedly being carried on in those places,” the judge clarified.
The orders were passed on a batch of writ petitions filed by parlour owners accusing the police of interfering with their avocation on false charges of indulging in illegal acts. During the course of hearing, Additional Advocate General S.R. Rajagopal told the court that Greater Chennai Corporation had decided to issue trade licences to them.
He also produced a notification issued by the Corporation on February 27 and said that similar notifications had been issued by other corporations and municipalities too.
