SC comes to rescue of DJ operators in UP

Stays blanket ban on disc jockeys at events by HC

New Delhi, Nov. 20: Coming to the rescue of disc jockeys who make their living by performing at marriage and birthday parties in UP, the Supreme Court has stayed the blanket ban imposed on their operations by the Allahabad high court. Ahead of the upcoming marriage season, the top court has asked the authorities to grant permission to the DJ operators in accordance with law. The Allahabad high court had on August 20, imposed a blanket ban on DJ services terming the noise generated by them as “unpleasant” and of “obnoxious level”. A bench of Justices U.U. Lalit and Vineet Saran was told by advocate Dushyant Parashar, appearing for the petitioners, that due to the high court order these DJs are getting unemployed across the state.

Mr Parashar, who represented 13 members of the Bundelkhand Sound and DJ Association, said the DJ players used to make their living by offering their services during marriages, birthdays’ and other ceremonies but due to the blanket ban, they are unable to take care of their families.

The bench noted that on

October 14, the apex court while seeking reply from the state government had stayed the operation of direction for blanket ban issued by the high court in the month of August.

“Pending further consideration, we grant interim direction in same terms and direct that as and when any applications are preferred, the applications shall be considered by the concerned authorities; and if the same are otherwise in accordance with law, the permission may be granted despite the direction issued by the High Court,” the bench said.

During the hearing, Mr Parashar submitted that the direction for blanket ban on DJ operators was violative of Article 16 of the Constitution.

Ahead of the upcoming marriage season, the SC has asked the authorities to grant permission to the DJ operators in accordance with law