The 2005 order requires license applicants to adhere to a strict timing for shows, safety of women working or performing at these establishments, apart from technical aspects like seating area vis-à-vis performance zones.

With no establishment being able to adhere to all the specifications in the order, there were no restaurants with live music or dancing permitted in Bangalore through much of the second half of 2005. All restaurants serving alcohol had to shut down by 11:30 pm under the existing excise licensing norms.

In December 2005, however, the Resto-Lounge Bar and Discotheque Owners Association got some relief with the Supreme Court ruling that licenses could be issued to places not promoting indecent shows and prostitution.

Following this order the Bangalore police gradually began taking a more lenient view on public entertainment, allowing regular restaurants to host live music and allowing discotheques to open as well.

According to senior government officials a move began in late 2007, during the Governor’s rule, to consider reframing excise rules that imposed the 11:30 pm curfew on restaurants serving alcohol. “A proposal came from the tourism department for extending night deadlines to 1:30 am. It was sent to the Excise Department who said they were okay if the police could ensure security. However, no decision was taken,” the senior government official said.

The current clampdown on live music and discotheques began around August 1 after owners of the dance bars filed a petition in the high court stating that many discotheques were functioning without licenses in the city. Summoned to the high court, Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari promised to shut down all places operating in violation of the 2005 public entertainment order. He warned local police inspectors of suspension if any establishment violated the order in their respective areas.

... contd.