New Delhi [India], April 30 (HBTV): The Tis Hazari court of Delhi has recently discharged a restaurant owner, a manager and two female dancers in a case related to an alleged obscene dance. It was also alleged that a minor girl was employed to perform an obscene dance. During the raid, a minor girl was found dancing in the bar.
However, the court was convinced by the argument of the defence counsel that the minor presented documents indicating she was a major at the time of her employment at Green Chilli Bar in Paharganj.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Balvinder Singh discharged bar owner Sandeep Kumar Manchanda, manager Inderjeet Singh Lovely, and two female dancers.
Following an investigation, the Delhi Police Crime Branch had filed a charge against the accused under Sections 294 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to the prosecution, on October 7, 2022, the Crime Branch conducted a raid at Green Chilli Bar after receiving information that minor girls were performing semi-nude dances at the establishment.
During the raid, police reportedly found a minor girl performing an obscene dance at the bar. The accused were apprehended, and a charge sheet was filed.
During arguments on the charge, Advocate Rishabh Jain, representing the accused, contended that the bar was covered by CCTV cameras but the footage was not presented in court.
He also argued that the alleged semi-naked clothes of the victims were not seized by police and that, despite police officers being present at the site for over two hours, no videographer or photographer was included in the raid.
The investigation was also silent on how the dancers were allegedly performing obscene acts. After considering the submissions, the court discharged the accused of the offences under Sections 294/109/34 IPC and Section 12 of the POCSO Act. (ANI)