'We Need Socially Conscious Advocates': Kerala High Court Asks Lawyer Who Filed Noise Pollution PIL If He Will Join Legal Aid Programme

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Syam Kumar V M were considering a public interest litigation seeking urgent judicial intervention to curb increasing levels of noise pollution.

“We actually need advocates in Legal aid. All social causes advocates should also join in legal aid,” the bench orally remarked.

The plea calls for strict implementation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and adherence to past Supreme Court and High Court judgments regulating sound levels which includes In Re: Noise pollution-implementation v Unknown (AIR 2005 SC 3136), Church of God (Full Gospel) in India v KKR Majestic Colony Welfare Association and Ors [2001) 10 SCC 624]. 

The petitioner has further submitted Right to Information (RTI) requests were filed before multiple government departments including the Home Department, Police Headquarters, Pollution Control Board, and District Collectors and most of the replies were "evasive". 

The petitioner has also submitted images which are aimed to demonstrate that despite judicial prohibition, sounds systems are being operated unchecked across different faiths. 

When the matter came up for admission, the Court directed the counsel appearing for the petitioner to seek instructions as to whether the petitioner would like to contribute in the legal aid programme of the State, which requires "socially conscious" advocates. The Court has also directed the government pleader to take instructions. 

The matter is posted on November 11, for further consideration.

Case Title: Justine Pallivathukkal v Union of India and Ors.

Case No: WP(PIL) 133/ 2025

Counsel for petitioner: J Julian Xavier, Firoz K Robin, Roy Joseph, Akhil P C, Aswathy Susan Paulm C Joseph Antony, Joseph Jose, Raju Joseph (Sr.)

Counsel for Respondent: O M Shalina (DSGI), T Naveen (SC - State Pollution COntrol Board), G Biju (SC - Travancore Devaswom Board), K P Sudheer (SC - Chochin Devaswom Board), T K Vipindas (SC- Guruvayur Devaswom Board), R Ranjanie (SC - Malabar Devaswom Board), Jamsheed Hafiz (SC - Waqf Board)