Loudspeakers not necessary for any religion: Bombay HC

• Bombay High Court orders law enforcement agencies to take action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms.
• Division Bench Justices A.S. Gadkari and S.C. Chandak argue noise is a major health hazard and rights are not affected if permission is denied.
• The court asks the State government to direct religious institutions to adopt mechanisms for controlling noise levels, including calibrated sound systems with autodecibel limits.
• The court passed its judgment on a petition filed by housing associations from suburban Kurla, alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids.
• The court emphasized that denying permissions violates rights under Article 19 or 25 of the Constitution of India.