Nagpur HC slams police for inaction against illegal DJ, loudspeaker violators

The Nagpur bench of the High Court has taken a strict view of illegal and deafening DJ and sound systems played during festivals and celebrations in Nagpur. The court sharply rebuked the state government and city police for failing to take concrete action on the ground against organisers who violate the rules.

During the hearing, the court directly asked why the police did not immediately cancel the permissions of the concerned festival mandals when organisers openly violated the prescribed noise pollution standards. Government pleader S N Rao, appearing for the state government and city police, presented before the court a full account of the action taken by police so far.

But the court called this report mere paperwork. When the government pleader argued that it was not possible for the police to directly cancel organisers' permissions, the court expressed deep displeasure. The court observed with surprise that if the Nagpur police grant mandals permission for festivals and loudspeakers, it could not understand how the same police would lack the power to cancel that permission when rules are broken. The court directed the police to submit a full account of their jurisdiction and powers, and adjourned the hearing to Wednesday.

Advocate Tushar Mandlekar presented before the court video footage and audio recordings of processions taken out during the Pola festival as evidence. The footage made clear that despite restrictive orders and warnings from the police, rules were openly flouted with loud DJs played on the streets. Examination of the footage and decibel levels also proved that noise levels were several times higher than the limit fixed by law. The court expressed concern, saying the administration had completely failed to enforce the rules.

At the previous hearing, Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Raj Wakode had clearly directed that when noise limits are breached, FIRs be registered not only against those operating the DJs but also directly against the main organisers of the event. This time, when the government side gave details of the action taken during the Pola, Marwat and Dahi-Handi festivals, petitioner's counsel Tushar Mandlekar strongly objected. He told the court that this police action had remained confined to paper, and that in reality not a single FIR had been registered against any responsible person or organisation so far.