Mumbai: In the midst of controversy over the presence of cheerleaders at IPL matches, police today said they could perform at the stadium in Navi Mumbai on April 27 but action will be taken against organisers if their act is found to be "vulgar" or "indecent".

"The girls are merely artistes who perform as per the instructions of organisers," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said, adding that a performance licence has been granted to the organisers of the match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers to be held at Nerul's D Y Patil Stadium.

In the event of the cheerleaders indulging in obscenity, Wagh said, the "licence holders" (the organisers) will be prosecuted under various provisions of the Bombay Police Act for indecency in a public place and breach of licence terms.

Wagh, however, said they had not received any directions from the state government on the issue yet.

Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Siddhram Mhetre, had yesterday told reporters that the government will not allow the cheerleaders to perform as their acts are "absolutely obscene" and wondered why the organisers required "semi-nude" women at cricket matches.

The minister had said strict action will be taken if the cheerleaders violated the norms of decency in their attire.

However, he had not specified if action will be taken against the artistes or the organisers.
Source : PTI