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
HC Orders Verification of Permissions for Lawns, Marriage Halls in Nagpur The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday directed authorities to verify whether lawns, marriage halls, and club houses in the Civil Lines area of the city hold valid permissions and adhere to noise pollution regulations. The court warned that licenses must be canceled if violations are found. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta issued the directive while hearing three public interest litigation (PIL) cases concerning noise pollution from social events held at such venues. The court emphasized that the enforcement of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and guidelines from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) rests with the local administration. During the hearing, counsel for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation informed the court that approximately 13 lawns, marriage halls, and club houses operate in the Civil Lines area. These include venues such as Swagat Lawn and Hall, Great Grand Lawn, Season Lawn, Sarpanch Bhavan, Gondwana Club, CP Club, Srushti Lawn, Officers Club, Ladies Club, Prestige Hall and Lawn, Jawahar Vidyarthi Sabhagruha, Satpuda Lawn, and Deshpande Sabhagruha. Referring to a 2016 circular by the MPCB, the bench noted that these establishments are required to install sewage treatment plants, maintain soundproofing systems, and obtain prior permission from authorities before using loudspeakers, DJs, or Dolby sound systems. When the court inquired whether these venues had secured the necessary permissions, the MPCB informed the bench that most had not, except for a few exceptions.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #maharashtra_pollution_control_board #civil_lines_area #swagat_lawn_and_hall
