Refusing to grant an interim stay on the ban imposed by the Maharashtra government on dance bars in the state, the Bombay high court on Friday asked the Centre and the state government to file their responses by August 29 to a petition of Bar Owner's Association challenging the validity of the act banning such establishments.

• Ban on dance bars in Maharashtra comes into effect
  

The association has sought an interim stay on implementation of ban on dance bars in Maharashtra, saying it would affect the livelihood of many persons.

The court said it would hear the petitioner on interim relief on August 29 after going through replies of the respondents, including state Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil.

• Owners challenge dance bar ban in HC

The association had challenged the Mumbai Police (Amendment) Act, 2005, banning the dance bars in the state, contending that the notification is illegal and unconstitutional.

The issue is also related to livelihood of thousands of people and the act cannot be implemented, the petition said adding, the bars also contributed to the state exchequer.

The petitioner also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the circumstances that led to the ban on dance bars in the state.

There have been monetary dealings between five-star hotels and the ruling parties for keeping them out of the purview of the ban, the petitioner alleged.

The Bombay high court had earlier admitted another petition filed by the Bhartiya Bar Girls Union and kept the matter for hearing on October 3, according to the union's advocate.

The court had also admitted a petition of Association of Hotels and Restaurants challenging the implementation of Mumbai Police (Amendment) Act, 2005, on the ground that it has rendered around 10 lakh people unemployed.