Maharashtra: High Court Questions Authorities On Action Taken Against 2,940 Illegal Loudspeakers At Religious Places

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday raised concerns over the lack of action taken against the 2,940 illegal loudspeakers installed at various religious places across the state. The details of these illegal installations were disclosed to petitioners through the Right to Information (RTI) Act by government agencies. The court directed the Home Department’s Additional Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to submit a report on the actions taken.

In August 2016, the High Court had issued orders to address the issue of illegal loudspeakers at religious sites, but the petitioners from Navi Mumbai, led by Santosh Pachlag, claimed that these orders were not being followed. They brought the matter to the court’s attention via a contempt petition. Additionally, the petitioners informed the court that a total of 2,940 illegal loudspeakers were found across various religious places as per the RTI information.

The petitioners further alleged that mosques in Navi Mumbai were broadcasting the early morning “Azaan” around 5:30 AM through loudspeakers, and that rules were not being followed at other religious places as well. The division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, instructed the authorities to present the details of the actions taken against these illegal installations.

Balwadkar

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