K'taka HC allows women to work in bars

Bangalore, Sep 24 (UNI) In a singnificant judgement the Karnataka High Court today allowed women to be employed as hostesses in Bar and Restaurants.

The Court passed orders on a batch of petitions which contended that Rule 9 of the Excise Rules and Section 20 (2) of the Karnataka Excise Act as violative of the constitution.

Justice D V Shylendra Kumar, rejecting the public prosecutor's contention that since children and women needed to be protected in such places, ruled that the Rule 9 of the said act is ultra virus and unenforceable and Sub Section 2 of Section 20 of the Act as unconstitutional as it violates Article 14, 15, 16, 21 and 39 of the constitution.

The petitioners led by C Ramesh had contended that as the government issued licences to run a bar or a restaurant, it was his desire to provide employment to women as hostesses. This was intended to provide better facilities to customers in line with international standards, he stated.

A batch of women, who had lost their jobs after police closed down dance bars also challenged these provisions. Thee City police had recently shut down dance bars invoking the provisions of the Excise Act.

UNI RS MSP GM2001