The Music in Muslim Shrines Act, 1942

(1) This Act may be called the Music in Muslim Shrines Act, 1942. (2) It extends to the whole of Union Territory of Chandigarh.

For the purposes of this Act the expression “Muslim Shrine” shall mean a shrine of a recognised Muslim saint and shall include the premises of the same and the premises owned by and attached to the shrine.

If any woman or girl sings to the accompaniment of a musical instrument or dances with or without such musical accompaniment in any Muslim shrine, she shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to be punished with fine not exceeding five hundred rupees or with imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding six months or with both such fine and imprisonment.

If any person abets an offence punishable under the last preceding section, he shall, whether such offence be or be not committed in consequence of such abetment, and notwithstanding anything contained in section 116 of the Indian Penal Code, be liable on conviction to be punished with the punishment, provided for the offence.

An offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable, bailable, non-compoundable and triable by a Judicial Magistrate of the first class.