HC may give relief to DJS, dolby sound systems during festivities
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court may consider giving interim relief to use of DJ or dolby sound systems provided they do not exceed the noise limits during the upcoming festivals.
The court has asked the state to take instructions, considering that while live music involving dhol tasha is permitted, recorded music is not.
The petition has been filed by an association of sound system owners claiming that though there is no ban on them on the grounds of noise pollution, they are not permitted to play while live music, which is well over the permissible decibel limits, is allowed. According to the petition filed by Professional Audio and Lighting Association, an agency which rents out sound and light equipment, their livelihood was affected due to the authorities’ move to curb noise violations.
The petitioners claimed that though there was no ban on them or their business either by the Supreme Court or the HC, the police seized their equipment during festivals on the grounds of violating noise norms.
The sound system was used to play recorded music which was also known as DJ music, said the petition. Arguing for the petitioners, senior advocate Satish Talekar told the court that during orchestras, loud music much beyond the permissible limits is allowed.
He added even though noise from traditional instruments such as dhol tasha were well over permissible limits they are permitted, showing the selective discrimination against the petitioners.
After hearing the submissions, the bench of justices Shantanu Kemkar and Sarang Kotwal sought to know from the state whether the claim of the petitioners on the absence of any court orders banning the use of DJ and dolby sound systems was true.
The bench asked the state to take instructions and kept the matter for hearing on September 14. In response to the petitioners’ plea for an interim relief for the festivals, the bench asked the petitioners whether they were willing to give an undertaking to abide by the noise norms.