Overview

• A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne disposed of Santosh Pachlag’s 2018 contempt petition alleging noncompliance with a 2016 noise pollution order at religious sites.
• An affidavit from DGP Rashmi Shukla showed that out of 2,812 loudspeakers in use, 343 were removed and 831 were granted licences by April 2025.
• Authorities issued warnings to 767 religious establishments for exceeding permissible decibel levels and filed FIRs in 19 cases under relevant noise pollution rules.
• The Maharashtra government designated a nodal officer at the rank of Inspector General of Police to monitor implementation of noise norms across 49 police units.
• Finding no wilful disobedience, the court ruled no contempt had occurred and granted the petitioner liberty to approach the nodal officer if violations persist.