New Year Eve party deadline extended in Mumbai till 5 am

The court also dismissed concerns about women's safety, saying "The Shakti Mills gangrape incident did not happen on December 31. It happened on a normal day. If proper precautions are taken, such incidents would not occur."

A 22-year-old woman photojournalist interning with a magazine was gangraped at the abandoned Shakti Mills compound in the city in August when she was out on assignment.

Petitioner's counsel Veena Thadani pointed out that the Home Department in its December 19 circular had allowed restaurants and bars to run till 5 AM on January 1.

"If the Home department under which the police comes has no problem with the celebrations going on till 5 AM then why is the police setting the deadline of 1.30 AM. This is without logic," Justice Patel said.