Enforce DJ ban or seize equipment, Nagpur HC tells police

The Nagpur High Court on Friday came down hard on the police and the state government over noise from DJ systems and high-decibel sound equipment during the festival season. The court said that merely issuing a ban order or notification would not suffice, and that real action against violators must be visible on the ground.

The order was passed by a bench of Justice Urmila Joshi-Falke and Justice Raj Wakode. The bench said that if any DJ or loud sound system is found operating despite the ban, the Commissioner of Police and the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police must act on it immediately. It said there should be no hesitation in seizing heavy sound equipment and the vehicles used to transport it if necessary.

The court directed the state government to ensure strict compliance with noise pollution rules in every district of Vidarbha from September 11 to November 1, 2026. During the hearing, advocate Mandlekar, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that noise rules were being flouted openly during festivals despite a prohibitory order issued by the Commissioner of Police.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police, appearing for the state government, filed an affidavit stating that in view of upcoming festivals such as Dahi Handi, Pola, Tanha Pola, Tajuddin Baba Urs, Ganeshotsav, Durga Puja and Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, a separate notification was issued on September 2, 2026 under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Under this notification, the use of DJ systems, multi-speakers, plasma sound systems, pressure mid sound systems and vehicles modified for them is banned from midnight of September 3 until 11:59 pm on November 1, 2026. Operators and organisers have been told to lock away such equipment and vehicles in their own custody.

During the hearing, a video of a procession from the Pola festival was placed before the court. The court viewed the footage and had the sound levels recorded in it examined, which showed that the noise level was well above the legally permitted limit. The petitioner's counsel argued that issuing orders on paper alone would achieve nothing. Following this, the court directed the police administration to ensure that banned DJs and sound systems are not used, and that firm action is taken against violations.