Headlines
Loudspeakers in mosques, temples: Delhi HC seeks government response
New Delhi, April 29
The Delhi High Court on
Wednesday asked the city government to respond to a plea seeking
directions to remove all "unlicensed" loudspeakers from mosques and
temples in the capital over rise in noise pollution levels.
A
division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw asked
the government and the police commissioner to also inform whether
permission was required to use loudspeakers at odd hours in places of
worship.
Asking the government and police to respond to the plea, the bench posted the matter for May 13.
The
court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Delhi
residents Shashikant Bahl and Amit Kumar, who sought a complete ban on
the use of "unlicensed" loudspeakers in mosques and temples.
Asking
for the court's direction to the government to immediately remove
unlicensed loudspeakers used in Madina Masjid (in Vasant Kunj) and also
other loudspeakers in various shrines, mosques, temples in Delhi, they
said the loudspeakers are operated at very high volumes early in the
morning and continue till late at night.
The plea alleged that
the Delhi government has failed to implement the provisions of law,
standing orders and circulars that has resulted in high levels of noise
pollution.