The Bombay High Court on Tuesday disposed of a contempt plea against the Maharashtra government, observing that substantial and sincere steps had been taken to regulate illegal loudspeakers at religious sites in compliance with its earlier orders.
A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne expressed satisfaction over the government’s actions, saying there was no case of wilful disobedience of the High Court’s 2016 ruling on the enforcement of Noise Pollution Rules.
The court was hearing a 2018 contempt petition filed by social activist Santosh Pachlag, alleging that the state had failed to implement the HC’s August 2016 order on curbing unauthorized loudspeaker use at religious places.
Referring to an affidavit submitted by Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, the court noted that as of April this year, 2,812 loudspeakers were in use across various religious structures. Of these, 343 were removed, 831 received official permission, 767 were served notices to stay within noise limits, and 19 FIRs were registered.
Government pleader Neha Bhide also informed the court that a nodal officer of Inspector General rank had been appointed to oversee compliance across the state.
“It is evident that the authorities have substantially complied with the order,” the bench said. “No case for wilful disobedience of directions of this court is made out as the authorities have made an earnest effort.”
With this observation, the court formally disposed of the contempt petition.
