Garbage Van Songs Cross All Legal Norms: MP High Court Tells Indore Municipal Corporation To Turn Down Volume

The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Indore has found the State’s compliance on silence zones wanting and issued fresh directions to curb noise pollution in the city, from sound-measuring devices at every police station to ward-level volunteers and quieter garbage vans.

A Division Bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai passed the order on October 26, 2026, in a writ petition titled Amitabh Upadhyay and Another vs State of Madhya Pradesh and Others, after reserving it on October 5.

The Court first revisited its September 24, 2026 direction asking the State to publish a list of silence zones in widely circulated daily newspapers. Instead of a proper publication, counsel for the State had merely shown newspaper excerpts mentioning such zones. The Bench said this was “not the proper compliance of the order passed by this Court.” The respondents must now publish the list as already ordered and invite suggestions for declaring other places of prominence as silence zones.

The hearing also saw ACP (Khajrana) Ashish Patel bring a device for measuring sound pollution. The Court was told it has not yet been used in public to record noise or act against anyone. The Bench observed that such devices may be useful if handed to police personnel “who are on active duty to attend such complaints.” It directed that they be supplied to every police station in Indore, and that each station’s contact number for noise complaints be published in newspapers and on the Indore Police website, so that any citizen can reach the right person immediately.

The Bench did not hide its displeasure over the recent festive season. It said it was “again at pains to observe” that Navratri and Dussehra had brought “unbridled noise pollution,” with the police appearing “totally helpless” in curbing it and its sources. The respondents must place on record the complaints received by police stations across the city, along with any suo motu complaints registered over the noise “which the entire city was tolerating.”

Yet the Court struck a hopeful note. “We still refuse to give up on the city of Indore,” it said, expressing confidence that joint efforts of all stakeholders would bring the much-needed change and peace that citizens crave.

Recognising that many concerned residents hesitate to alert the police for fear of being dragged into legal proceedings, the Bench directed the Station House Officer of each police station to appoint two volunteers from every ward. They will inform the police about persons or vehicles causing noise pollution and record videos on their mobile phones. Other residents reluctant to approach the police can contact these volunteers. “Needless to say,” the Court added, prompt action must be taken by the police “in accordance with law.”

The Bench had a pointed word for the Indore Municipal Corporation. Its garbage collection vans, which “thankfully roam around the city every morning and other hours,” carry loudspeakers playing the cleanliness song “at its full blast.” While accepting that citizens must be told of their arrival, the Court said the sound “crosses all the legal norms.” The Corporation must reduce the noise to permissible decibel limits for such vehicles or to “at least 25% of its present volume.”

The respondents must file a compliance report within a further three weeks. A copy of the order is to be furnished to Advocate Rishi Tiwari, who usually appears for the Corporation. The matter will next be listed in the week commencing November 23, 2026.

Advocate Abhinav Dhanodkar appeared for the petitioners. Government Advocate Pradyumna Kibe represented respondent Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 (State), while Advocate Rishabh Singh Chauhan appeared for respondent No. 4.

Case Title: Amitabh Upadhyay and Another vs. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Others

Order Date: October 26, 2026

Bench: Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai