Latest news with #NoisePollutionRules
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bombay high court seeks police reply after five mosques file petition against action on loudspeakers
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Tuesday issued notice to the state and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on a petition filed by five mosques against police crackdown on loudspeakers. Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Milind Sathaye directed that the police authorities file a reply along with relevant records and posted the next hearing for July 9. Senior advocate Yusuf Muchhala and advocate Mubin Solkar, representing the petitioners, argued that action was being taken only against mosques. The petitions, filed through authorised representatives, expressed concern that worshippers were being affected by the police, who were allegedly targeting masjids, dargahs, and other places of worship within the Muslim community across Mumbai. Notices regarding alleged violations of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, were issued without providing specifics of the date and time of the alleged violations or the measurement of decibels at the time. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai These notices were used as a basis for follow-up actions, such as imposing arbitrary fines, terminating existing licences, refusing to renew licences, and forcibly seizing or removing loudspeakers. The petition claimed that the police department was acting under the influence of vested political interests by issuing such arbitrary notices. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The petition stated that the azaan is an important part of Islam and that the use of loudspeakers to call people for prayer is a necessity in Mumbai. It argued that this practice cannot be curtailed when performed within the prescribed limits of the rules, as it would violate the fundamental rights of Muslims. The petition urged the HC to set aside the notices and restrain the police authorities from taking coercive action against the petitioners and their trustees, managers, or mutawalli, including the removal of loudspeakers without following the procedure prescribed by law. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Time of India
City's DJ Levels Now Comparable To Jet Engines
Bhopal: In Bhopal, amplified DJ music on the streets has reached alarming levels comparable to jet engine noise, with operators blatantly disregarding all regulations, judicial directives and law enforcement. Law enforcement's response has been ineffective, with some even calling cops passive observers as DJ violations go unchecked on the city's roads and localities. Exposure to jet engine noise at 140 dB+ causes immediate hearing damage. Amplified DJ sound at 100 dB can trigger temporary hearing issues within 15 minutes, while levels around 120 dB, common on Bhopal streets, risk permanent auditory harm. The Noise Pollution Rules of 2000 stipulate residential area limits of 55 dB during daytime and 45 dB at night. At New Market on Saturday, measurements showed a DJ system at 112 dB. The equipment took three hours to traverse 500 metres before returning. The intensity caused structural vibrations in homes, making emergency calls to Dial 100 difficult to hear. TOI even reported the 112-decibel violation to Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra. Following a previous incident last year, where a minor died near Arera Hills slums, Mishra had encouraged public reporting using decibel metres. Despite one van being impounded, local officers showed minimal concern, suggesting the operator would resume after paying court penalties. When questioned about unregistered modified vehicles, an officer claimed legislative changes were necessary. While individual officers may lack awareness, the Supreme Court has endorsed the Noise Pollution Rules, requiring written authorisation for loudspeaker usage. Health professionals acknowledge that while urban noise is sometimes unavoidable, protective measures can minimise hearing impairment risks. "Whether in affluent areas or slums, amplified DJ noise affects everyone. Police remain passive observers. Even after complaints, DJs are back on the streets, return to disturb even more," stated an anonymous businessman.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bio CNG plant row: FIR against Adampur Cong MLA for blocking key highway
Jalandhar: Jalandhar rural police have registered an FIR against Adampur Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli and others, including 21 identified and 100-150 unidentified individuals, for blocking the Jalandhar-Pathankot national highway on April 23 to protest against the bio-CNG plant at Bhogpur sugar mill, which processes solid waste from Jalandhar Municipal Corporation. Apart from six provisions of BNS and a provision of Noise Pollution Rules, the FIR against the MLA and others also includes Section 8B of the National Highway Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years. The FIR was registered on the night of April 23, but it remained under wraps, and the MLA only learned about it on Tuesday morning. Those named in the FIR also include local leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP, and BSP. The issue of the bio-CNG plant at Bhogpur sugar mill has been brewing for around a year. In the blockade on April 23, Bhogpur town residents, shopkeepers, and farm groups participated. In August last year, the town residents also blocked the NH. Though meetings between the officials and the town representatives were held in the past, the issue remained unresolved. MLA Kotli said that he was not afraid of the cases and the police could arrest him at any time, or he could even turn up to offer arrest. "I shall continue to fight for my people, and you can't frighten me," he said. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring called the FIR "a fallout of vendetta". Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10-Month-old is battling for his life and only you can save him! Give Hope India Donate Now Undo "Let it be clear to all officials, whether from police or administration, please don't breach your brief. Don't act as collaborators of the AAP in the persecution of the Congress," he said. Jalandhar: Jalandhar rural police have registered an FIR against Adampur Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli and others, including 21 identified and 100-150 unidentified individuals, for blocking the Jalandhar-Pathankot national highway on April 23 to protest against the bio-CNG plant at Bhogpur sugar mill, which processes solid waste from Jalandhar Municipal Corporation. Apart from six provisions of BNS and a provision of Noise Pollution Rules, the FIR against the MLA and others also includes Section 8B of the National Highway Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years. The FIR was registered on the night of April 23, but it remained under wraps, and the MLA only learned about it on Tuesday morning. Those named in the FIR also include local leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP, and BSP. The issue of the bio-CNG plant at Bhogpur sugar mill has been brewing for around a year. In the blockade on April 23, Bhogpur town residents, shopkeepers, and farm groups participated. In August last year, the town residents also blocked the NH. Though meetings between the officials and the town representatives were held in the past, the issue remained unresolved. MLA Kotli said that he was not afraid of the cases and the police could arrest him at any time, or he could even turn up to offer arrest. "I shall continue to fight for my people, and you can't frighten me," he said. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring called the FIR "a fallout of vendetta". "Let it be clear to all officials, whether from police or administration, please don't breach your brief. Don't act as collaborators of the AAP in the persecution of the Congress," he said.
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Total 343 of 2,812 illegal loudspeakers at religious places, other institutions removed, police tell Bombay HC
The Maharashtra Police has informed the Bombay High Court that of the 2,812 illegal loudspeakers installed at various religious and other institutions in the state, 343 have been removed and 831 were given permission, which do not fall under the 'illegal loudspeakers' category anymore. On Tuesday, a division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Makarand S Karnik was informed that Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla had last month filed an affidavit in reply to the contempt petition filed by one Santosh Pachlag that alleged non-compliance of its directives in 2016 against 'illegal' installation of loudspeakers at religious places. In August 2016, a bench headed by Justice Abhay S Oka in its verdict on a batch of pleas, including that of Pachlag against illegal loudspeakers at certain mosques in Navi Mumbai, had observed that no religion could claim a fundamental right under Article 25 (Right to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion) of the Constitution to use loudspeakers or public address systems. It had issued 32 directives to enforce the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000. The court stated that all religious places must strictly comply and obtain permission under Rule 5(1) to use such equipment. Pachlag in 2018 filed a contempt petition, in which, based on an RTI reply, he claimed 2,940 religious institutions including temples, mosques and dargahs, churches, gurudwaras and Buddha Viharas had illegally installed loudspeakers, causing disturbance and annoyance to people at large due to 'heavy noise pollution'. The HC in January this year had sought details from the government and police on action taken with respect to 2,940 illegal loudspeakers as admitted in response to RTI reply by the petitioner. DGP Shukla, in her affidavit filed on March 24, which was made available on Tuesday, submitted that out of 2,940 illegal loudspeakers mentioned by the petitioner, as per records made available, total illegal speakers were only 2,812 as the Navi Mumbai Police had reported that there were no illegal loudspeakers under their area. The affidavit further said that besides removal of 343 loudspeakers and 831 being given permission, notices under Section 149 (police to prevent cognizable offences) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) were issued against those who had installed 767 such loudspeakers. Moreover, in 5 cases, reports were submitted to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for taking action against such loudspeakers and FIRs were registered with respect to 19 loudspeakers. The affidavit further stated that of 1,038 religious places under the area under Greater Mumbai Police, notices were issued to 343, permissions were granted to 309 and unlicensed loudspeakers were removed at 43 such places. In Pune, notices were issued to 273 institutions, 13 were given permissions and unlicensed loudspeakers at 5 places were removed. Moreover, in Hingoli, of 302 religious places, 62 were granted permission and illegal loudspeakers at 162 places were removed. In Dharashiv, unlicensed loudspeakers at 50 out of 74 religious places were removed. The affidavit added that in Mumbai, 1,12,964 complaints for noise pollution were received between 2019 and 2024 and action had been taken in 639 of them under Section 131 of the Maharashtra Police Act. 'The review of the latest reports called from the various police units disclose that though action has been taken, further action is necessary,' the affidavit said, adding that the DGP's office at regular intervals will follow up with all police units for prompt action to comply with HC directions. The HC granted petitioner time to file rejoinder to state and DGP's reply and posted matter after two weeks.
