"Women's Dancing Not Obscene," Bombay High Court Decrees, Quashes FIR Against Five Men

In a significant verdict, the Bombay High Court's Nagpur bench has quashed an FIR against five men accused of obscenity and indecency in public. The court's ruling states that women dancing provocatively in skimpy clothes or making suggestive gestures cannot be automatically deemed "obscene" or "immoral" acts likely to cause annoyance.

The case originated from a police raid at a Resort and Water Park where six women were reportedly found dancing in short skirts while the applicants, including men and women, were seen showering money on them.

The division bench, consisting of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki Menezes, examined the case and held that these actions should not be hastily classified as obscene or causing public annoyance. The court acknowledged that contemporary Indian society has adopted more liberal standards of morality, accepting that women may wear revealing attire, such as short skirts or swimwear.

Furthermore, the bench emphasized that the determination of obscenity should not be left to the subjective interpretation of a police officer. They noted that acts described in the FIR should not automatically be considered obscene or annoying to the public.

This verdict highlights the importance of considering evolving social norms and values when addressing issues of obscenity and indecency, emphasizing the need for a broader perspective on what constitutes offensive behavior.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University