India, Nov. 17 -- In a significant ruling that clarifies the limits of criminal liability in dance bar cases, the Bombay High Court has held that simply being present at a bar where dancers are performing cannot, by itself, make a customer a criminal.

The court quashed a charge sheet filed against a Chembur resident who was arrested during a police raid at Surabhi Palace Bar and Restaurant on the night of May 4-5, 2024. The raid, conducted on the basis of a tip-off, led to the detention of 11 people, including the restaurant manager, orchestra artistes and several customers. The police alleged that the women present were performing "obscene dances."

One of the customers was subsequently booked under section 188 of the IPC (disobedience ...