Use Of Cone Speakers Banned In Public & Religious Places: Madras High Court Reiterates, Asks State To Take Action Against Violators

“The use of cone speakers/loudspeakers in public places shall be banned/restricted forthwith in the interest of general public and more particularly, the children and aged persons,” the court said.

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan has asked the State government to ensure compliance with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules and to issue necessary guidelines to the concerned authorities and police officers to ensure compliance.

The court also asked the State to instruct authorities to take action against users of cone speakers/loudspeakers in public places and ensure that the usage of speakers is within the permitted parameters. The court added that appropriate action can be taken against violators according to the Rules and the loudspeakers and other instruments involved could be seized and confiscated immediately.

“The State shall instruct all the authorities to take appropriate action against the users of cone speakers/loudspeakers in public places and/or in religious places in violation of the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and ensure that the usage of cone speakers are curtailed and the usage of any other sound systems would be within the permitted parameters.

Any violation in complying with the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, be taken note of by the authorities concerned and appropriate action be initiated against the persons concerned in accordance with law and the instruments used for such violation be seized and confiscated immediately,” the court said.

The court also asked the State to conduct awareness campaigns among the public, informing them about the ill-effects of using cone speakers/loudspeakers in order to curb noise pollution. Additionally, the court remarked that those conducting the public meetings should also scrupulously follow the directions of the court while using the sound system.

The court further asked the Secretary to Government, Public Department, Chennai to communicate the order to all District Collectors, who shall then intimate the same to all subordinate officers for compliance.

The court was hearing a plea seeking removal of banned cone-type loudspeakers installed in the pole in front of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), Branch-2 Mosque situated in Thiruvarur District.

During the pendency of the plea, a peace committee meeting was conducted by the Tahsildar of Muthupet Taluk, Thiruvarur District, in which the concerned parties participated. The court was informed that during the peace committee meeting, it was resolved that the con-type speakers would be replaced with box speakers.

However, the court noted that the speakers had not been replaced even after the resolution. This prompted the court to pass the orders.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. D. Ajay

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. R. Ganesh Kumar, Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)

Case Title: Ganga Neduncheliyan v The District Collector and Others

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 367

Case No: WP Crl No 485 of 2026