For Delhi police, a new reality on licences

The Licensing Branch of the Delhi Police is now left with fewer responsibilities after the Delhi government eliminated the requirement of police clearance for eight key trades in the Capital. The unit, which traces its origins to the 1860s—when the British enforced the Serais Act—still plays a key role in important sectors.

- Jignasa Sinha

On June 23, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta announced a regulatory overhaul, revoking Delhi Police's powers to issue a no-objection certificate for seven trade categories: amusement parks, hotels/guest houses/lodges, restaurants, swimming pools, discotheques, video game parlours and auditoriums.

On July 1, the Delhi Police removed these services from its website. The website now only has the categories of arms, explosives, cinema and press licence. Last Friday, the licensing of cinema halls and theatres was also removed.