In Brief
The Karnataka Live Band Restaurants Association challenged the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment (Bangalore City) Order, 2005, which required restaurants displaying live band music, cabaret, and discotheque performances to obtain licences from police authorities. The Association argued the Order violated Article 14 (equality) and Article 19(1)(g) (freedom of occupation) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court upheld the Order as constitutionally valid. The Court found that licensing such performances is a reasonable restriction justified by public safety, health, order, and morality. The conditions for obtaining and maintaining licences—including safety measures, seating capacity limits, fire exits, noise control, and restrictions on indecent performances—serve legitimate public interests. The Court directed police commissioners to ensure strict compliance with licence conditions and implement specific noise pollution and fire safety measures.
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