The Government of Maharashtra on July 07, 2026, issued the Maharashtra Police and Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to further amend the Maharashtra Police Act and the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act, 2016.
The following amendments have been stated:
• In section 2 of the Maharashtra Police Act (hereinafter in this Chapter XXII of referred to as "the Police Act"), after clause (6A), the following clause shall be 1951. inserted, namely :-
"(6AA) "live music performance (orchestra)" means a performance of singing either individually or in a group with or without playing music by use of musical instruments or recording devices, held in a hotel, restaurant or bar room;".
• In section 33 of the Police Act, in sub-section (1), —
(a) in clause (w), in sub-clause (i), after the words "or entertainment" the words "except a hotel, restaurant or bar room where live music performance (orchestra) is performed" shall be added;
(b) in clause (wa), in sub-clause (i), after the words "the musical" the words "except live music performance (orchestra) performed in a hotel, restaurant or bar room" shall be inserted.
• In section 2 of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act, 2016 (hereinafter in this Chapter referred to as "the principal Act"), after clause (7), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
"(7A) "live music performance (orchestra)" means a performance of singing either individually or in a group with or without playing music by use of musical instruments or recording devices, held in a hotel, restaurant or bar room;".
• In section 3 of the principal Act, after the word "dances" the words "or live music performance (orchestra)" shall be inserted.
[L. A. BILL No. LIII OF 2026]
