Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to file a reply to the plea challenging the circular banning the use of DJ and Dolby sound systems during the Ganesh Chaturthi and Navaratri festival.
A Division Bench of Justices S.S. Kemkar and S.V. Kotwal was hearing a petition filed by Professional Audio and Lighting Association, which has 1,400 members, who own sound and light rental agencies, and employees associated with the sound systems.
The circular by the Home Ministry and the orders issued by the police said DJ is a source of sound pollution, and refused to issue licences on the ground that DJ/Dolby sound systems are prohibited under the orders of the High Court and the Supreme Court. The petitioners alleged the authorities are taking action against persons who are found in possession of DJ system without measuring the actual noise level, and they are neither equipped nor trained to gauge the noise level. The petition also stressed that the present noise level is much higher than that of the maximum permissible limit under the Noise Pollution Rules of 2000.
Advocate SB Talekar, appearing for the petitioners, pointed out that there is no total ban on the use of pre-recorded music by way of sound systems.
The court directed the State to take instructions whether there is a total ban on the use of such sound systems and asked the petitioners whether they would be able to give an undertaking to abide by the rules. The matter is posted for hearing on September 14.
