Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra Home Department and Director General of Police (DGP) to furnish details of penal action taken against illegal loudspeakers installed at various religious and other institutions across the state.
The court also directed the Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department to file an affidavit on action taken with respect of 2,940 illegal loudspeakers as admitted in response to RTI reply by the petitioner.
The direction was given during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by a Navi Mumbai resident Santosh Pachlag stating that through RTI he got to know from State Public Information Officers that many "religious institutions, such as, Temples, Mosques/Dargas, Churches, Gurudwaras and Buddhavihars have not obtained necessary permissions as required under law for installation of loud-speakers", thus there was a clear violation and breach of directions of the 2016 HC order.
Pachlag claimed that the use of illegal loudspeakers by religious institutions is causing disturbance and annoyance to public at large, specifically old persons, sick people, students, infants and ultimately the environment was being affected due to high levels of noise pollution.
The petitioner also said this is in clear violation and breach of directions contained in judgment of 2016. He stated that the authorities are liable for punishment under the provisions of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
"Respondents have no respect for this court, and they have willfully disobeyed and have committed a breach of directions issued by this court and therefore the respondent authorities are liable for punishment under the provisions of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971," Pachlag had submitted to the court.
UNI AAA CS1547