The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Police authorities to appoint two volunteers from each ward in Indore who can immediately inform the police about persons and vehicles causing noise pollution. 

Observing that the police were 'totally helpless to curb and handle the noise pollution' during last year's festive season, the division bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai directed:

"we also direct that the SHO of each Police Station shall appoint two volunteers from each ward of the city who can immediately inform the police about the persons/vehicles involved in noise pollution in their area, and also take video of the same on their mobile. This method will also help the other members of the public of that Ward to contact those two nominated members of their Ward if they have any hesitation in contacting the police directly. Needless to say, on such complaint prompt action shall be taken by the police in accordance with law". 

The 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.

At the previous hearing, the court had directed the State to publish a list of silence zones in a widely circulated daily newspaper. The State instead showed the newspaper excerpts mentioning such zones, which the bench held was not proper compliance. It again directed:

"respondents are directed to publish the list as already directed by this Court on 24.09.2026, and invite suggestions to declare other places of prominence as silence zones, which could not be included in the said list". 

Further, the ACP informed the court that devices for measuring sound pollution had not been used to record noise pollution or to take action against the violators. The bench said such devices would be useful only in the hands of police personnel attending noise pollution complaints and directed: 

"We are of the considered opinion that such devices may be useful, provided they are handed over to the police personnel, who are on active duty to attend such complaints regarding the sound pollution. Thus, we direct that such devices may be supplied to the police personnel of every police station in Indore, and a contact number of the concerned police station on which such complaints regarding noise pollution can be made be also published in the newspapers as also the website of Indore Police so that any person who intends to make a complaint regarding noise pollution can contact the concerned person immediately". 

Further, the bench noted that residents experienced "unbridled noise pollution" during the last festive season of Navratri and Dusshera and that the police were helpless to curb it. It directed the respondents: 

"we direct the respondents to place on record the complaints, which the various police stations across the city have received regarding noise pollution and also the suo moto complaints, if any, registered by the police on hearing the noise pollution which the entire city was tolerating". 

The court also directed the Indore Municipal Corporation to reduce the volume of loudspeakers on its garbage collection vans, which play the cleanliness song at full volume, to the permissible decibel limit or at least 25% of the present volume.

Earlier, the court observed that it was not satisfied with the State's response regarding measures taken to curb noise pollution.

For Petitioner: Advocate Abhinav Dhanodkar

For State: Government Advocate Pradyumna Kibe

For MP Pollution Control Board: Advocate Rishab Singh Chouhan