Bombay High Court Rules Against License Denial for Live Orchestra at Navi Mumbai Bar
Can’t deny orchestra licence to bar based on ‘misplaced apprehension’, says HC
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The Bombay High Court ruled that the Navi Mumbai licensing authority unjustly denied a performance license to Hausa restaurant and bar based on unfounded fears of law and order issues. The court ordered the licensing authority to issue the license within four weeks, emphasizing that live orchestra performances are not inherently problematic.
- 01The Bombay High Court overturned the Navi Mumbai licensing authority's denial of a performance license to Hausa restaurant and bar.
- 02The court found the objections against the license were based on misconceptions about law and order issues.
- 03The licensing authority had previously granted similar licenses to 43 other establishments in Navi Mumbai.
- 04The restaurant owner, Shivaji Waghralkar, argued that misinformation campaigns led to the denial of his license.
- 05The court mandated the licensing authority to issue the performance license within four weeks.
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The Bombay High Court in Mumbai ruled that the Navi Mumbai licensing authority cannot deny a performance license to Hausa restaurant and bar based on unfounded fears regarding law and order. Justice NJ Jamadar stated that the authority's decision appeared to lack an objective basis, as it relied on objections from citizens that were based on misconceptions about the nature of the performances. The court noted that similar licenses had been granted to 43 other establishments in Navi Mumbai, indicating that live orchestra performances are not inherently indecent. The restaurant owner, Shivaji Waghralkar, had previously been denied a license by the Navi Mumbai police commissioner on February 24, 2025, and his appeal was also rejected on August 14, 2025. Waghralkar argued that a misinformation campaign led to the denial, despite his assurance that he would not operate a dance bar. The court directed the licensing authority to issue the performance license within four weeks.
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This ruling allows Hausa restaurant and bar to host live orchestra performances, potentially enhancing the local entertainment scene and supporting business growth.
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