Mumbai: There was no immediate Bombay high court relief on Friday for Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre (73), accused and arrested for allegedly beating up three doctors, including a woman, at Shastri Nagar Municipal Hospital in Dombivli on July 6.A bench of Acting Chief Justice R V Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad posted the matter on August 6, by which time the public prosecutor said all remaining four witnesses’ statements would be recorded, photographs and voice samples of accused taken, and their test identification (ID) parade conducted.State advocate general Milind Sathe said the informant doctor, who left for his native town in Washim due to “sheer fear of another attack” and whose statement was recorded before a magistrate there, had said he would come to Mumbai if given police protection. The state will give such protection, Sathe assured. The doctor has also tendered his resignation, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) informed the HC. Senior counsel Ashok Mundargi, as amicus curiae, said any release right now may impede the accused identification.Senior counsel Aabad Ponda, representing Mhatre, and advocate Sana Raees Khan, for the three co-accused, argued for their immediate release. Ponda submitted there was no provision in law not to grant bail till an ID parade is conducted. He said Mhatre was willing to be put to strict conditions, including being placed out of state with two visits to a local police station.The informant doctor intervened in the matter that the HC had suo motu taken up on July 18, and said he had received numerous calls. The HC directed the DCP (zone 3) Kalyan to collect the numbers and track the callers. But Ponda contended that no threats alleged to be received by doctors can be attributed to Mhatre post his arrest and said the calls shown were limited to July 7-8. “No one now, after July 18, will dare flout the law. The law is far above any political sentiment or overenthusiastic reaction to get voters’ attention…,” Ponda added.Indian Medical Association, represented by senior counsel SU Kamdar, said the female doctor, whose resignation KDMC has not yet accepted, must be given police protection so that she can attend to her duties. When he said she has received 37-38 calls, Ponda interjected to say ‘none’ after July 8, adding that they were all from unknown numbers. He said “anyone could take advantage of the situation.’’

MUMBAI: Escalating their stand-off with the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), three of the country’s leading hospitality industry associations have jointly petitioned the Prime Minister, the Maharashtra chief minister and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), alleging that recent enforcement measures are bypassing statutory safeguards and hurting businesses. They have sought intervention to ensure that food safety inspections continue, but strictly in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act. The representation by the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI), the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) comes amid the Maharashtra FDA’s intensified inspection drive against hotels, restaurants and food establishments across the state. The associations said they fully support strict action against food adulteration and unsafe food practices but argued that businesses should not face licence suspension or cancellation without first being given an opportunity to rectify deficiencies, wherever required under the law. At the centre of the dispute is Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which, according to the associations, requires food business operators to be served a 14-day Improvement Notice to correct deficiencies before licences are suspended or cancelled in routine cases. They contend that this statutory safeguard is being overlooked during the current enforcement drive. The industry bodies have also sought a review of the Maharashtra FDA’s June 23, 2026 compliance order, claiming that some of its provisions are inconsistent with the FSS Act and its regulations and were issued without the prior stakeholder consultation required under the legislation. Another major concern raised by the associations is the public disclosure of names, photographs and videos of establishments during enforcement action. They argued that publishing such material before legal proceedings are completed can cause lasting reputational damage, even in cases where businesses later comply with requirements or no final violation is established. The associations have requested the Prime Minister’s Office, the Chief Minister and the FSSAI to review or recall portions of the June 23 order that they believe conflict with the FSS Act, ensure that the Improvement Notice mechanism is followed wherever applicable and discourage public naming of establishments until due process is completed. The representation, however, stressed that the industry is not seeking a dilution of food safety enforcement but a regulatory framework that balances consumer protection with procedural fairness. The associations said they remain committed to working with the FDA and FSSAI through training, awareness programmes and stakeholder consultations to improve compliance across the sector. The issue has wider economic implications, the associations said, pointing out that the food services sector directly employs over 85 lakh people nationwide and contributes an estimated Rs 33,809 crore annually to the exchequer. The broader hospitality industry supports more than 3.2 crore jobs and contributes nearly 5.8% of India’s GDP. They noted that western India, including Maharashtra, accounts for nearly one-third of India’s hospitality market. Maharashtra alone recorded over 189 million domestic and 3.7 million foreign tourist visits in 2024, while the state’s Tourism Policy 2024 aims to attract Rs 1 lakh crore in fresh investment and create more than 30 lakh jobs. According to the associations, unpredictable enforcement and premature public naming of establishments could undermine investor confidence, affect tourism and disproportionately impact small and medium-sized restaurants, hotels and the lakhs of workers who depend on the sector for their livelihoods. The industry bodies have sought an urgent meeting with the Maharashtra Chief Minister and trade associations to develop a framework that safeguards both consumer interests and food safety while ensuring that enforcement follows the legal process prescribed under the FSS Act. An immediate response from the Maharashtra FDA on the representation was not available.

MUMBAI: In a significant move that could reshape Maharashtra’s nightlife and live entertainment industry, the state government has ordered police authorities not to grant any fresh licences or renew existing licences for live music performances (orchestra) in hotels, restaurants and permit rooms, saying such permissions were increasingly being used to circumvent the state’s dance bar law.The Home Department issued the circular on Monday, directing that licences for “Pratyaksha Sangeet Sadarikaran (Orchestra)” under Section 33 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, and the Public Entertainment Rules should neither be issued afresh nor renewed until further orders.The decision follows the enactment of amendments bringing orchestra performances within the ambit of the Maharashtra Hotel, Restaurant and Bar Room (Prohibition of Obscene Dance and Protection of Dignity of Women Working Therein) Act, 2026, effectively ending what the government describes as an alternative route used by some establishments after tighter regulation of dance bars.According to the circular, the number of dance bar licences had declined substantially after the 2026 Act came into force. However, the government said it had received information that establishments were increasingly obtaining orchestra licences under the Maharashtra Police Act and allegedly using them as a substitute for activities that the new law sought to prohibit.“To prevent such misuse,” the circular states, fresh orchestra permissions will no longer be issued under the Police Act, while licences already granted will also not be renewed.The administrative order is the first major implementation step after the legislature approved amendments to the law during the recently concluded monsoon session.The circular notes that the state Cabinet had cleared the proposal on July 2, following which the Bill was passed by both Houses, received the Governor’s assent and was notified in the Maharashtra Government Gazette on July 22.

Why the government acted

The amendment seeks to close what the state considers a legal loophole.Until now, orchestra licences were governed by the Maharashtra Police Act.The government argued that while dance bars were regulated under a separate law with stringent conditions, some establishments were allegedly using orchestra permissions to organise performances that defeated the intent of the dance bar legislation.The amended law shifts regulation of orchestra performances into the same legal framework governing dance bars.During the Assembly debate earlier this month, the government maintained that bringing orchestra bars under the 2026 Act would ensure uniform regulation and prevent misuse of licensing provisions.

Industry impact

The circular is expected to have immediate implications across Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune and other urban centres where orchestra bars and live music venues operate.Stakeholders likely to be affected include:Hotels, restaurants and permit rooms hosting orchestra performances.Establishments with licences due for renewal.Singers, musicians and orchestra artists dependent on licensed venues.Event organisers and hospitality operators planning new live music venues.Police licensing authorities, who have now been instructed to stop processing fresh and renewal applications.While the circular targets alleged misuse of orchestra permissions, it leaves open questions over how genuine live music performances without dance elements will be regulated in future. Hospitality operators and performers are expected to seek clarification once the government notifies the detailed licensing mechanism under the amended law.

Legal backdrop

Maharashtra has witnessed prolonged litigation and legislative changes over dance bars for nearly two decades.The latest amendment represents the state’s effort to align orchestra licensing with the framework governing dance performances, after arguing that separate licensing regimes had created enforcement challenges.The Home Department’s circular makes it clear that, until a revised regulatory framework is operationalised, no new orchestra licences will be granted and no existing licences will be renewed under the Maharashtra Police Act.

What the circular means

Mumbai: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) abruptly postponed its 86th annual convocation, scheduled to be held on Sunday, August 2. In an email sent to students after around 12.50am Friday, TISS said that the convocation had been postponed due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant was the chief guest at the event.Hundreds of students who had travelled to Mumbai, or were on their way to the city with their parents and relatives, were upset about the financial losses they incurred on travel and accommodation. They claimed that many bookings were non-refundable or involved substantial cancellation charges. Many had to take leaves from their workplace to attend the convocation ceremony.Students’ collective, Progressive Students’ Forum, also claimed that there had already been a delay in the declaration of final results, which has adversely affected students. They sought accountability from the institute for the last-minute cancellation, and the losses suffered by students.While the official statement put out by TISS on Friday evening does not specify any reason, students claimed that authorities may have been concerned about possible protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Students, however, added that there was no plan or discussion of protests on or off campus. They also said they had not been officially informed about the CJI being the chief guest.TISS statement mentioned that it had to take the difficult decision in the best long-term interests of the institute, as well as to preserve the well-being of students, faculty, staff, dignitaries, guests, and campus life. Acknowledging the hardships caused to graduating students and their families, the institute claimed that it would examine requests related to financial hardship arising from the postponement on a case-by-case basis. It added that it was in the process of rescheduling the event and was also exploring diverse modes of organising the convocation.Students, however, said that the last-minute communication had caused considerable inconvenience and was also ‘disrespectful’ to them.“I was in Mumbai for work, but my parents travelled all the way from my native town. It was a big day for us. TISS is a prestigious institution and to secure admission here and then graduating after two years was sort of an achievement. We were all looking forward to the ceremony,” said one student, adding there is no clear direction on compensation.Another student pointed out that several from the graduating batch were yet to be placed and, therefore, the losses could have been more severe. “A group of students sought the final semester marksheets and convocation degrees without the ceremony, but that was declined too. Not many of us can afford travelling again on a later date,” said the student.

Palghar: The extremely heavy rain that lashed Palghar district in July caused an estimated loss of Rs 180 crore to public infrastructure, residential properties, power networks and household assets, states a preliminary damage assessment prepared by the district administration. The report will be presented to Maharashtra govt for a special financial relief package, while the administration also plans to approach the World Bank for assistance in long-term flood mitigation measures.Palghar witnessed two phases of exceptionally heavy rainfall from July 1 to 8 and again between July 22 and 24, triggering widespread flooding across the district. The floods claimed 23 lives and inundated 15,802 houses, affecting thousands of families.The assessment estimates that the public works department (PWD) suffered the biggest setback, with losses pegged at Rs 148 crore after several roads, bridges and culverts were washed away. Damage to the power distribution network, including uprooted electricity poles, failed transformers and flooded substations, is estimated at Rs 3-4 crore, while civic infrastructure under the urban development department sustained losses of around Rs 9 crore.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed district administrations in flood-affected regions to prepare detailed proposals for a special relief package. Acting on the directive, the Palghar administration has completed damage assessments across departments and compiled detailed reports on losses to public assets, power infrastructure and other sectors. The proposal will now be submitted to the state govt for financial assistance.District collector InduRani Jakhad said the administration also intends to leverage the proposal to seek funding from the World Bank for strengthening flood resilience in the district. The proposed funding will be utilised for flood mitigation measures, upgrading critical infrastructure and restoring damaged roads, bridges and connectivity through coordinated efforts of various govt departments.In a long-term initiative to minimise the impact of future natural disasters, the district administration will prepare a scientific disaster management framework with technical support from the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) and the Maharashtra Resilient Development Programme (MRDP). The framework will focus on flood-prone area planning, strengthening critical infrastructure and improving disaster preparedness across the district.