The Karnataka High Court on Friday said that the State government and the city police should suggest alternative documents in lieu of production of occupancy certificates (OC) as one of the conditions for allowing live band joints in buildings built prior to 1976, when the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) Act, 1976 came into force making OC mandatory for certain types of buildings.
Justice Aravind Kumar made oral observation in this regard while hearing petitions filed by owners of several live band joints questioning the action of the police commissioner in making production of OC mandatory for consideration of grant of licence to run live band joints.
It was pointed out to the court that some live band joints are operating in buildings constructed prior to 1976, and a large number of buildings were occupied without OC even after the KMC Act came into force and, in such cases, the owners of live bands will not be in a position to secure OC from the building owners.
Asking the government counsel to suggest alternative documents, the court adjourned further hearing till Thursday.