The state government on Wednesday informed Bombay High Court that it would sensitise policemen about noise pollution rules to ensure proper implementation during the forthcoming festive season.
Government Pleader Abhinandan Vagyani said, “Most of the time, policemen visit the place where loud music is being played, and on their arrival, the organisers stop, but soon restart once the cops leave.”
To this, a bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi said, “Forget about prosecution, if you, as per our order, stop the music and seize music systems, it will bring immediate relief to citizens.”
The court also asked the state government to clarify in particular about banning the granting of permission for use of loudspeakers in the premises of Mahim Police station during the annual Mahim fair.
Additional Government Pleader Geeta Shashtri submitted a clarification that policemen will not issue permission for use of loudspeakers in silence zones. However, the court said, “This is too vague, when the specific defence taken was that due to the tradition of the Mahim fair going on for years, permission was granted for use of loudspeakers inside Mahim Police station compound.” The court has asked the government for a clarification by Thursday.
The direction was given during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by activist Sumaira Abdulali against Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mahim Division), Shilvan Dhovale and senior police inspector of Mahim police station Milind Idekar for allowing use of loudspeakers inside Mahim police station, a silence zone, during the Mahim fair in 2016.
