Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored:

The Bombay High Court, in a landmark ruling, has declared that the use of loudspeakers for prayers or religious discourses is not an essential practice of any religion. The court directed the Mumbai Police to strictly enforce the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, ensuring that no religious place violates the permissible decibel levels through the use of loudspeakers or amplifiers.

A division bench comprising Justices Ajay Gadkari and Shyam Chandak emphasized that Mumbai, as a cosmopolitan city, accommodates people from diverse religions and communities, making noise pollution a significant health hazard that affects all residents equally. The court stated, “No one can claim that their rights are infringed if denied permission to use loudspeakers. Public interest must take precedence, and such permissions should not be granted as loudspeakers are not an essential part of any religion.”

Strict Guidelines for Police Action

The court issued clear instructions to the Mumbai Police on handling noise pollution complaints, particularly those involving religious places.

The guidelines include:
1. First Instance: Upon receiving a complaint, the police must caution the offender without disclosing the complainant’s identity.
2. Second Instance: If further complaints are received, the police are authorized to impose a fine under Section 136 of the Maharashtra Police Act and issue a warning of stricter action for repeated violations.
3. Subsequent Violations: For repeated offenses, the police can seize loudspeakers or amplifiers under Section 70 of the Maharashtra Police Act and revoke the offender’s license to use such equipment.

Petition Highlights Violations by Religious Institutions

The court’s ruling came in response to a plea filed by two resident welfare associations from Mumbai’s Kurla and Chunabhatti areas. The petitioners highlighted how several mosques in their vicinity were using loudspeakers for daily prayers and religious discourses without adhering to permissible noise levels. Despite repeated complaints to local authorities, no significant action was taken.

The petitioners alleged that, even after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, permissions granted to mosques came with clear conditions to operate within noise limits, which were often flouted. The court observed that this constituted a deliberate violation of legal orders, emphasizing that the police must enforce noise pollution laws without being mere spectators.

Decibel Limits and Fines

The Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, permit a maximum noise level of 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. The court clarified that the permissible limit applies cumulatively to all loudspeakers in use at a given time, rather than to individual devices. It also noted that the fines—Rs. 5,000 per day for violations—may not act as a deterrent for offenders and urged the state to consider stricter penalties.

Call for Technological Solutions

In its order, the bench suggested that the state government explore the use of technology to address noise pollution. It proposed the development of in-built mechanisms to control the decibel levels of loudspeakers, amplifiers, and other sound-emitting devices, regardless of the religious institution using them.

Upholding the Rule of Law

The court underscored the need for equal enforcement of laws across all religions. It noted, “In a democratic state, no person or group can refuse to follow the law of the land. Law enforcement authorities must take firm action to uphold public interest and prevent nuisance.”

This judgment highlights the judiciary’s commitment to balancing the fundamental rights of individuals with the broader public interest, ensuring that peace and order prevail in Mumbai’s diverse communities.

Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored:

Riya Barde, a Bangladeshi adult film actress also known by her professional name Arohi Barde, was arrested for allegedly using a fake Indian passport to reside in India. The arrest occurred in Ulhasnagar, located about 50 km from Mumbai, following a tip-off received by the Hill Line Police.

Investigation and Arrest
The police investigation revealed that Barde, along with three associates, had been living in India using forged documents. Authorities began their inquiry after receiving information about a Bangladeshi family residing in Ambernath, Nevali A, with fake documentation. The investigation led to the discovery that an individual from Amravati had forged the documents for Barde and her associates, facilitating their illegal stay in India.

A case has been registered against Barde and four other individuals under Section 14(A) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, as well as relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The police are currently searching for the remaining four individuals involved in the forgery.

Related Cases
In a related case earlier this year, a 23-year-old woman from Thane, Maharashtra, was also arrested for traveling to Pakistan using a fake passport and forged documents. She had allegedly used false identity documents to obtain her passport.

The investigation into Riya Barde’s case continues, as authorities seek to uncover further details of the illegal activities involved.

Training to derail trains being imparted via madarsas in Jhansi and Kanpur, reveals NIA-ATS probe, mob had freed Mufti Khalid Nadvi detained in connection with the conspiracy.
As per the probe, students of the madarsas are being radicalised and instigated to derail trains. Moreover, the youths are also being trained on how to derail trains.

Amid rising incidents of attempts to derail trains by placing various objects on tracks are various places in the country, it has been revealed that training on how to derail trains was being imparted in madarsas. A probe by NIA and Uttar Pradesh ATS has unveiled a conspiracy to derail trans in Jhansi and Kanpur.

As per the probe, students of the madarsas are being radicalised and instigated to derail trains. Moreover, the youths are also being trained on how to derail trains. As part of the probe, the agencies are conducting raids at various madarsas in the region.

Such training is being imparted via online mode, and the probe teams recovered several videos. In the videos, radical Islamists are seen instigating youths to derail train, and also instructing on how to do the task.

One Madarsa teacher named Mufti Khalid Nadvi is being interrogated in connection with the conspiracy.

On Thursday, the investing team raided the houses of Nadvi and questioned him for several hours. However, when NIA and ATS teams were taking him to the police station for further interrogation, a massive Muslim mob attacked the convoy and freed Nadvi. The mob including a large number of women gathered after announcements were made from the local mosque.

Later the police again detained him, and he is being questioned. How laptop, mobile phone, and other items have been seized. He is accused of involvement in terrorist activities and foreign funding. After questioning, police released Mufti Khalid Nadvi.

Police have also filed a case against around 100 people for attacking the NIA-ATS team and freeing the detained person. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused.

In the last 3 months, there have been several attempts to derail important trains like the Sabarmati Express and Kalindi Express around Jhansi and Kanpur. Stones were also pelted on the ‘Vande Bharat’ train in this region. Various objects like cylinders, wood logs etc were placed on the tracks, however, they were spotted by alert railway workers or locals, and there was no untoward incident.

Photo: File Photo