Action against cheer leaders, if found obscene: Navi Mumbai police

Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) The Navi Mumbai police, under whose jurisdiction the D Y Patil stadium falls at Nerul, today said the cheerleaders in the IPL match to be played here on April 27, can perform at the stadium, but action will be taken against organisers if their act is found to be ''vulgar'' or ''indecent''.

The match slated is between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad.

''The girls are merely artists who perform as per the instructions of organisers,'' Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said, adding that a performance license has been granted to the organisers of the match.

In case the cheer leaders indulge in obscenity, Mr Wagh said, the ''license holders'' (the organisers) will be prosecuted under various provisions of the Bombay Police Act for indecency in a public place and breach of license terms.

Mr Wagh, however said they have not received any directions from the state government on the issue yet.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Siddharam Mhetre, in the Legislative Council, today said the government would examine the issue and whether steps could be taken to restrict the performances of cheer leaders during Indian Premier League cricket matches.

The issue is making rounds in the legislature for the last three days.

BJP leader Nitin Gadkari had raised the issue earlier, while today Dr Neelam Gorhe (Shiv Sena) raised the issue again.

UNI GS RN RAR BST1657