5 days ago
Pune Police Chief Faces Contempt Plea Over Noise Pollution
Five organisations and an 81-year-old man have asked the Bombay High Court to act against Pune’s police chief.
They say the police have not done enough to stop dangerously loud sounds.
The complaint mentions festivals, processions, political events, bars and restaurants in residential areas.
It also says some events used powerful laser beams.
The petitioners say loud noise has hurt or disturbed older people, children, patients, students, workers and shopkeepers.
They say the complaint is about noise levels, not against any particular religion or festival.
The petition refers to a court order from August 20, 2024, that set directions for controlling noise.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar says officers have acted when sound levels broke legal limits.
He said police recorded more than 1,000 readings, seized six sound systems and took action in 148 cases.
Five Pune-based organisations and 81-year-old Vilas Lele filed a contempt petition against Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.
The petition alleges Pune Police failed to implement Bombay High Court noise-control directions issued on August 20, 2024.
Petitioners cited loud DJ systems, amplifiers and laser beams at festivals, political events, processions and public gatherings.
The petition reported 2025 readings of 105 decibels at Jedhe Chowk and 90.2 decibels at Sant Kabir and Sonya Maruti Chowks.
Kumar said police had recorded more than 1,000 readings, seized six plasma sound systems and acted against 148 cases or mandals.
- Who
- Five Pune-based organisations and senior citizen Vilas Lele filed the petition against Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.
- What
- They filed a contempt petition alleging that Pune Police failed to enforce Bombay High Court directions and legal noise limits.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, including locations such as Jedhe Chowk, Tilak Chowk, Sant Kabir Chowk and Sonya Maruti Chowk.
- When
- The petition was filed on August 27; it cites a Bombay High Court order dated August 20, 2024, and noise readings recorded in 2025.
- Why
- The petitioners seek effective enforcement and stricter action against excessive noise and laser use at public events and establishments.
Petitioners’ Allegations
Police Commissioner’s Response
Compliance with court directions
Petitioners’ Allegations
The petitioners allege that Pune Police consciously and deliberately failed to implement binding Bombay High Court directions on noise pollution, possibly because of political pressure.
Police Commissioner’s Response
Amitesh Kumar said police have taken strict action wherever sound levels crossed permissible limits and stated that the department’s position is clear.
Visible enforcement
Petitioners’ Allegations
The petitioners say residents have repeatedly complained but have not seen effective action against violators on the ground.
Police Commissioner’s Response
Kumar said police recorded more than 1,000 readings, seized six plasma sound systems and initiated action in 148 cases.
Festivals and public events
Petitioners’ Allegations
The petitioners say their objection is to excessive noise and hazardous laser beams, not to any particular religion or festival, and that traditional music is acceptable within legal limits.
Police Commissioner’s Response
The police response describes discussions with Ganesh mandals and enforcement when decibel limits are exceeded.
Key facts
- Respondent
- Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar
- Petitioners
- Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Pune District Cooperative Housing Societies and Apartment Federation, Pune District Retail Traders Association, Shri Swami Samarth Cooperative Society, and 81-year-old Vilas Lele
- Court order cited
- Bombay High Court directions dated August 20, 2024, in PIL No. 191 of 2023
- Noise limits in residential areas
- 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night
- Reported 2025 readings
- 105 decibels at Jedhe Chowk; 93.8 at Tilak Chowk; and 90.2 each at Sant Kabir Chowk and Sonya Maruti Chowk
- Police monitoring
- More than 1,000 noise-level readings were recorded
- Police action cited
- Six plasma sound systems were seized during a recent Eid procession, and action was initiated in 148 cases
Quotes
Five petitioner organisations
Organisations and petitioners who filed the contempt petition against Pune police.
“the police may have created a machinery which may be equipped to deal with the issue of violations, but perhaps the Police departments have not done implementation due to pressure from the political bosses and that is the reason why the Noise Pollution Rules have been breached with complete impunity.”
indianexpress.com
“In fact recently during the Eid procession we seized six plasma sound systems and have initiated action against 148 mandals. I have not been privy to the petition so far and our stand is clear. Wherever there is violation of decibel levels we have taken strict action.”
indianexpress.com
Vilas Lele
An 81-year-old petitioner and senior citizen from Pune.
“We have no objections against any Ganesh mandal. The sound pollution in metro cities like Pune during the recent years is so extreme that people have started wondering if there is any rule of law and whether any authority is enforcing it. People have been suffering from the extremely high decibel levels and hazardous laser beams mercilessly. However there is tremendous pressure from political parties on the police. But we want action.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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