Bombay High Court: Noise rules must apply equally to every festival

The issue of noise pollution during festivals and celebrations in Maharashtra is under heavy discussion these days. After Pune-based social activist Vidyanand Bapat raised the issue, people from different parts of the state reacted to it. The matter of enforcing noise pollution rules during festivals has now also reached the courts. A new public interest litigation filed over enforcement of noise pollution rules in Pune is due to be heard on October 5.

The court proceedings have raised the question of effectively enforcing noise pollution rules and taking action against violators. The court has previously insisted on compliance with noise pollution rules. A 2025 Bombay High Court ruling had also made clear that there is provision for legal action when noise pollution rules are broken.

The court's stance also made clear that raising the issue of noise pollution is not meant to oppose any festival or religious celebration, but that the real issue is compliance with the prescribed noise limits and rules. An earlier Bombay High Court order also notes that no single religion has an exclusive right to use loudspeakers or public sound-amplification systems. This means that at religious and public processions held through the year, it will be checked whether noise pollution rules are being followed.

In a case before the Nagpur bench, a September 11 order notes that Nagpur police have banned, from September 3 to November 1, the use of certain types of DJ, plasma and pressure-mid sound systems, as well as modified vehicles carrying such systems. The court said that merely issuing an order is not enough, and that it must be properly enforced. The court also made clear that action would be taken against those found breaking the rules.

Meanwhile, in Ahilyanagar, after DJ operators questioned the restrictions, the police administration appealed for compliance with the rules. According to the information received, Superintendent of Police Mummaka Sudarshan said that if the prescribed noise limit is breached, legal action will be taken as per the rules.

Questions were also raised over the sound system used at a programme by Gautami Patil in Shevgaon. Police said that if the prescribed noise limit was breached at that event, action would be taken as per the rules.

Pune's Vidyanand Bapat had run a campaign against noise pollution from DJs, loudspeakers and other sound systems during Ganeshotsav. His campaign received support from some citizens and organisations, while some Ganesh mandals and organisations opposed it. Meanwhile, a new PIL has been filed in Pune alleging that noise pollution rules are not being enforced, and it is due to be heard on October 5. All eyes are now on how DJ, loudspeaker and noise limit rules will be enforced during the coming festival season.