‘Efforts Made To Curb Illegal Loudspeakers At Religious Structures’: Bombay HC Dismisses Contempt Petition Against Maha Govt.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a contempt petition against the Maharashtra government, noting that authorities have taken “substantial & sincere” action to regulate illegal loudspeakers at religious sites.

A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne said it was satisfied with the steps taken by the state to implement a 2016 court directive on enforcing noise pollution rules.

Background

The petition, filed in 2018 by activist Santosh Pachlag, sought contempt proceedings against the state government for allegedly failing to act on a High Court order issued in August 2016. That order had directed authorities to control the use of unauthorized loudspeakers violating the prescribed decibel limits under the Noise Pollution Rules.

State Submits Data On Enforcement

During the hearing, the court reviewed an affidavit submitted by Maharashtra’s Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla. According to the data provided:

2,812 loudspeakers were active at religious sites as of April 2024

343 were removed

831 were granted proper licenses

767 religious sites were issued notices to ensure compliance

19 FIRs were registered for violations

Government counsel Neha Bhide also informed the court that an Inspector General-rank officer has been appointed as the nodal authority to oversee statewide enforcement against noise violations.

No Contempt Made Out, Says HC

After reviewing the state’s compliance, the bench concluded that there was no evidence of wilful defiance of the 2016 order.

“It is evident that the authorities have substantially complied with the order. No case for wilful disobedience of directions of this court is made out as the authorities have made an earnest effort to comply with the order,” the bench stated.

Accordingly, the court disposed of the contempt petition, bringing an end to the long-pending matter.

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