Court to hear Shiv Sena noise pollution case Wednesday

MUMBAI - A local court will Wednesday hear a case against Shiv Sena officials for violating court norms by exceeding the noise level limit during the party’s Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park here, the NGO which registered the complaint said citing a police official

The Awaaz Foundation had Tuesday written to Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal seeking action against party officials responsible for organising the rally and violating court orders.

In a reply to the NGO, Deputy Commissioner of Police Aswati Dorje said that the complaint registered by Awaaz has been made a part of the complaint filed by police regarding the breach of the prescribed noise levels.

“DCP Aswati Dorje has assured us of immediate steps. She has told us that the matter will be taken up in the magistrate court Wednesday morning,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener of the NGO.

“Police have forwarded the papers to the magistrate, Dadar Court No 5 for filing a case under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act which carries a fine up to Rs.1 lakh and/or imprisonment up to 5 years,” she added.

Shiv Sena had held its Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park Sunday and a complaint was registered with Mumbai Police Monday against party officials for violating court norms by exceeding the noise level limit.

The Bombay High Court had granted permission to the Shiv Sena to hold its annual Dussehra rally with strict conditions as Shivaji Park has been declared a silence zone earlier this year.

“The noise levels were between 65 at the lowest and 93.2 at the highest, which were nowhere close to 50 db specified by the Bombay High Court,” Abdulali said.

“During the round when fire crackers were burst to celebrate the success of the rally and anointment of Aditya Thackeray as the Yuva Sena chief, the decibel reached between 69.6 and 93.2,” she added.