Fines Imposed, Tech Seized
Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Friday questioned the action taken by police against organisers and DJ operators after loud music was played during Dahi Handi and Marbat celebrations despite a 59-day restriction imposed by the police commissioner from Sept 2. Taking note of the material placed before it, the court sought details of action taken under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. As per the police affidavit, 37 cases have been registered in 2026 so far over violations involving DJs and brass bands. The affidavit said the action was not limited to imposing fines, and police seized DJ mixers, amplifiers, sound systems and other equipment, with a total value of about Rs15.47 lakh. It also said 138 police officers and personnel had been trained to measure sound levels.
A division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Wakode directed police to submit an action taken report within a week. The issue came up during the hearing of a suo motu PIL initiated by the court over growing noise pollution in the city, along with a pending PIL filed by Bhupendra Wasnik. Abdul Subhan assisted as amicus curiae, while Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Tushar Mandlekar appeared for the petitioners and NS Rao held brief for govt. Deputy commissioner of police (Special Branch) Sandeep Pakhale submitted an affidavit outlining the police commissioner’s order banning DJs during festivals and events covered by the notification. The petitioners and the amicus questioned the implementation of the restrictions. During the hearing, a video of DJs being played during the Marbat celebrations was shown to the bench.