The Supreme Court today sought a response from the Maharashtra government on a plea of a bar dancers' body challenging the constitutional validity of a 2016 state law putting conditions on dance performances by

women in bars and hotels there.

"Issue notice. Returnable within four weeks," a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman said.

The court then tagged the fresh plea of 'Bharatiya Bargirls Union' with a pending petition filed by Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association on the issue.

It fixed the petitions for hearing on April 20.