Court asks Collector, Police Commissioner to publish public notice  

 

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered that loudspeakers installed without permission at religious places in the city must be removed within seven days. The court also directed the Nagpur District Collector and the Police Commissioner to publish public notices in newspapers informing people about the order. The court said that if the loudspeakers are not removed by the concerned religious places within seven days after the notice is published, the local administration should remove them.

 

The order was passed by a bench of Justice Anil Pansare and Justice Nivedita Mehta while hearing a public interest litigation related to noise pollution in the city. The High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue, while some other petitions on the same issue are also pending before the court. During the hearing, the court noted that loudspeakers at religious places have been causing noise pollution in many areas. It also observed that the Supreme Court and various High Courts have issued several directions on controlling noise pollution in the past, but these rules are often not followed properly. The High Court said that the present directions will first be implemented in the Nagpur area to control noise pollution. The court added that the scope of these directions may be expanded later after reviewing the results.

 

The court also gave guidelines for loudspeakers that are installed with permission. It said such loudspeakers should be installed at a height of about 15 feet from the ground and should preferably be placed inside the religious premises. If any relaxation is needed in this rule, the administration must issue a proper order giving clear reasons. The court said these steps are aimed at maintaining a balance between the fundamental rights under Article 19 of the Constitution, including the right to speak and the right to remain silent.

 

The bench also stated that issues related to noise pollution from construction work and vehicles will be considered in the next hearing. No DJs at wedding ceremonies The High Court also took a strict stand on the use of DJs at wedding functions held in lawns or halls in the city. It suggested that loudspeakers should not be allowed at wedding ceremonies or other events and warned that action should be taken against people who burst crackers without permission. The court also directed that the Chief Controller of Explosives (PESO) be made a respondent in the case and ensure that firecrackers producing noise above 75 decibels are not manufactured.