MP High Court Rejects State Response On Loudspeaker Noise At Religious Places, Seeks Detailed Affidavit

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore Bench has once again pulled up the state government, police administration and the state Pollution Control Board over the continuing failure to curb noise pollution from loudspeakers at religious places, making it clear that verbal assurances of action are no longer enough.

A division bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Indore resident Amitabh Upadhyay, represented by Advocate Abhinav Dhanodkar, seeking strict enforcement of noise pollution norms around religious places and other public spaces in the city.

During the hearing, the bench recorded its dissatisfaction with the responses given by officials who appeared before it, including Ashish Patel, ACP of Khajrana Zone, A.S. Jadon, ACP of Malharganj Zone, and Satish K. Chouksey, Regional Officer of the Pollution Control Board, Indore, all of whom were present in person.

"Although it is stated that appropriate actions are being taken against the persons responsible for causing pollution, however we are not satisfied with the answers given by the concerned persons," the court observed, adding that it was directing the officials "to file appropriate reply along with the affidavit as to what action has been taken by them against the persons responsible for causing pollution and what else can be done."

The order comes against the backdrop of an earlier direction passed by the High Court, which had fixed the permissible noise limit for loudspeakers at religious places at 10 decibels above the ambient level or 75 decibels, whichever is lower, and had placed the responsibility of ensuring compliance on the district collector and police administration. According to the petitioner, despite roughly fifteen months having passed since compliance reports were sought, no detailed report on enforcement has been placed before the court.

The petition contends that religious institutions and, at times, vehicles continue to use loudspeakers at high volumes well past permissible hours, including after 10 pm, in violation of the notified rules. It is further alleged that complaints to the police about excessive noise often go unanswered, with no effective follow-up action taken on the ground.

Significantly, the bench has now also directed the counsel for the State to specifically address, in the reply to be filed, what action the District Magistrate has taken to ensure compliance with Section 18 of the M.P. Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985, the state law that empowers authorities to regulate and restrict noise-generating activities, including the use of loudspeakers, in the interest of public health and tranquillity.

Appearing for the respondents were Pradyumna Kibe, Government Advocate for respondents No. 1 to 3, representing the State, and Shrey Raj Saxena, Advocate for MP Pollution Control Board.

The bench has directed that the matter be listed for further hearing in the week commencing August 17, 2026, and has also ordered that a copy of the order be placed on the record of the connected matter pending before the court.

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

Date of Hearing: July 22, 2026

Bench: Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi