Punish cops for noisy Mahim fair, says HC to Maharashtra govt, Mumbai police chief

Court criticises govt, police chief for letting off cops, who allowed loudspeakers in police station, with a warning

The Bombay high court on Wednesday rapped the Maharashtra government for not punishing two senior police officials who allowed loudspeakers to be used inside Mahim police station — which falls in a silence zone — for the Mahim Dargah Urs.

The bench has posted the petition for further hearing on June 9. (Pic for Representation)

A division bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice AK Menon last month issued show-cause notices to the assistant commissioner of police, Mahim division, and the senior police inspector of Mahim police station, asking why they should not be held in contempt of court. It had also asked the state government to explain what action it proposed to take against the two errant police officers.

Additional government pleader Geeta Shastri on Wednesday told the court that the police commissioner has issued letters of warning and displeasure to the two police officers.

“Does the state propose to do only this much? If the state is taking it so casually, then our contempt action against the two police officers would have to be more serious. If the government is going to take this so lightly then the police officers will keep repeating this every year. Take strict action against them,” said the court.

The court was hearing a petition filed by activist Sumaira Abdulali highlighting blatant violations of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000. The bench has posted the petition for further hearing on June 9.

Earlier, it had directed the state government to address the concerns of citizens who complain about noise pollution. It also directed the state government to develop a website for citizens to lodge complaints, anonymously. The police were also asked to initiate legal action against those who violate noise pollution rules.