Thursday, December 15 2005 14:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: After the arguments in the matter concluding today, the division bench headed by Justice F I Rebello reserved its order on the issue.

The state government's ban was challenged by petitioners including Association of Hoteliers and Restaurants (AHAR), Fight for Rights of Bar Owners Association, Bar Girls Association saying the state's move would render around 10 lakh people jobless, including bar dancers.

One of the petitioner, Fight for Rights of Bar Owners Association, said some politicians had demanded over Rs 10 crore from the bar owners for not implementing the ban.

Arguing the issue, the state contended that the dance bars owners were exploiting the bar dancers.

The state also argued that some of the dance bar owners were involved in illegal trafficking of the dancers and hence the ban should not be revoked.