Noise Pollution: MP High Court Pulls Up Authorities After Judges Find Loudspeakers 'Blasting' Beyond Limits While Commuting Home
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has pulled up the authorities over noise pollution after judges, while commuting home from court, found loudspeakers being played at volumes beyond the permissible limits. Taking note of the situation, the division bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai observed,"Thus, we again hereby give strict direction to the officers of the...
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has pulled up the authorities over noise pollution after judges, while commuting home from court, found loudspeakers being played at volumes beyond the permissible limits.
Taking note of the situation, the division bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai observed,
"Thus, we again hereby give strict direction to the officers of the State/police officials and direct the respondents to ensure compliance of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) (Amendment) Rules 2000 and M.P. Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985, and appropriate strict measures be also taken in accordance with law against the persons responsible for blatant violation of the law. In the meantime, the respondents are also directed to publish a list of silence zones in the daily newspapers of wide circulation as have been filed along with the reply and invite the requests to declare the other places of prominence as silence zones, which could not be included in the said specific list. The respondents shall also inform the public at large of the complaint/phone numbers, which can be reached in case of any noise pollution complaints".
A petition was filed by a social activist alleging that unchecked noise pollution in Indore violates the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, including the right to peaceful sleep. It was contended that excessive noise particularly affects elderly persons, children, and individuals suffering from chronic illnesses.
According to the petitioner, loudspeakers are routinely operated from 6 a.m. till midnight and, at times, beyond, in violation of statutory restrictions, while the authorities have failed to take effective enforcement measures.
The petition referred to orders issued by the District Magistrate regulating the use of loudspeakers and highlighting their harmful effects, as well as the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. It was alleged that despite these directions, recurring violations continue and the authorities have failed to ensure effective implementation.
In a previous hearing, the court observed that it was not satisfied with the State's response regarding measures taken to curb noise pollution.
The court noted that during the night preceding the hearing, loud noise could be heard from "almost all the directions". The Judge further observed, "while commuting from the Court to our houses also, we found that in many places the loudspeakers were blasting away all the limits of sound barriers".
The bench further referred to the newspaper report concerning the death of a 7-year-old child at school, allegedly due to high-pitched volume generated by loudspeakers used during a procession passing by the school.
Per a PTI report, the child was in school while a Ganesh immersion procession passed in front of the school with loud music playing on a DJ system.
The bench observed that the persistent noise pollution indicated that the concerned officers who were responsible for controlling such violations were apparently not taking effective measures to resolve the situation.
The court further noted that the State had filed a detailed reply listing the measures being taken to curb pollution. However, the bench stated:
"although the respondents have filed a detailed reply trying to convince this Court that all the measures are being taken to curb the noise pollution but the ground reality appears rather grim".
Therefore, the court considered it necessary to issue further strict directions to the State and police officers.
Accordingly, the bench directed the State to file a report within a week and adjourned the matter to be listed on October 5, 2026.
Case Title: Amitabh Upadhyay v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-25397-2023
For Petitioner: Advocate Abhinav Dhanodkar
For State: Government Advocate Pradyumna Kibe
For MP Pollution Control Board: Advocate Rishab Singh Chouhan