No Loudspeakers, Crackers At Marriage Halls And Lawns: HC The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court issued a directive on Thursday, prohibiting the use of loudspeakers and firecrackers at marriage halls, lawns, and clubs without prior authorization from local authorities. The ruling came in response to widespread violations in the city’s Civil Lines area, where event organizers were found operating without necessary permissions. The court emphasized the need for strict enforcement to address the harmful effects of sound and air pollution, identifying event venues as a primary contributor to these issues. The order followed a batch of public interest litigation (PIL) cases, including one filed by Bhupendrakumar Wasnik, which highlighted the unchecked use of loudspeakers and fireworks during celebrations. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta reviewed the submissions, confirming that several venues in the Civil Lines area were conducting events without proper approvals. Additional government pleader Shishir Ukey, representing the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), stated that none of the lawns in the area had been granted permission to host marriage or religious ceremonies. He added that notices had already been issued to the operators, and a meeting between the lawn owners and the municipal commissioner was scheduled for April 15 to address the issue. The court’s directive underscored the environmental and health risks posed by excessive noise and air pollution. It mandated that any request for permission to use loudspeakers or sound systems must be scrutinized thoroughly.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #nagpur_municipal_corporation #civil_lines_area #bhupendrakumar_wasnik
Bombay High Court Criticizes Police Commissioner for Noise Violation Non-Compliance The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday strongly criticized the city police commissioner for failing to enforce its orders regarding noise pollution control. During a hearing of multiple public interest litigation (PIL) cases, including one filed by Bhupendrakumar Wasnik, a division bench comprising Justices Anil Pansare and Mukulika Jawalkar expressed frustration over the lack of compliance with earlier directives aimed at regulating high-decibel sound systems at event venues. The court emphasized that if the police commissioner could not effectively implement its rulings, the responsibility would be transferred to another agency or escalated to higher authorities, including the Director General of Police (DGP). The court had previously mandated strict measures to curb loud music across the city, particularly in areas prone to noise disturbances. In response, the police authorities stated that notices had been issued to violators and criminal cases registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the bench questioned the legality of these actions, noting that the cases were booked under IPC provisions rather than the recently introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The court raised concerns about the validity of such prosecutions under the new legal framework and directed the police to submit a detailed explanation of their actions. The bench’s remarks underscored its dissatisfaction with the police’s approach to enforcing the court’s orders. While the police claimed to have taken enforcement measures, the court highlighted the need for adherence to updated legal standards.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #anil_pansare #mukulika_jawalkar #bhupendrakumar_wasnik
