Officials will face contempt case for violation of SC guidelines on noise pollution: Gujarat High Court
Seeks detailed report on steps taken to comply with SC directions by state
Recording the assurance, the court directed that a “detailed report” be filed and posted the matter for further hearing on June 18, 2026. (Express file photo)
In a stern warning that Gujarat police officials and authorities, who do not comply with the Supreme Court directions and notifications of the state government pertaining to noise pollution and use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am, will face action under the Contempt of Courts Act, the Gujarat High Court sought detailed report regarding the steps taken to comply with SC directions by the state on the next hearing.
A Division Bench of Justice B D Karia and Justice L S Pirzada was hearing a contempt application in a PIL concerning noise pollution filed by advocate Amit Panchal, seeking the implementation of directions issued by the Supreme Court for noise pollution, especially between 10 pm to 6 am — which is defined as night hours.
The court, in its order dated April 27, stated that “it is very painful to note that even after 20 years from the issuance of the guidelines and directions by the Supreme Court”, the issue of noise pollution persists in Gujarat and cited precedents that state that courts “cannot remain a mute spectator to the complete defiance of the directions and watch the vulnerable class of citizens suffer.”
Referring to the notifications issued by the state in 2024 and 2025 as well as the SOPs defined, the court noted the observations made by a coordinate bench in September 2025 that “the implementation remains on paper” and that authorities are “indiscreetly issuing permissions” for loudspeakers and DJ trucks without proper verification of permissible limits, instead of confiscating the said equipment and vehicles, as per the rules.
Senior officials, including Home Secretary Nipuna Torwne and Gujarat Pollution Control Board Chairman R B Barad, who were virtually present in court, assured the court that “there shall be strict compliance of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the notifications issued.”
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Recording the assurance, the court directed that a “detailed report” be filed and posted the matter for further hearing on June 18, 2026.
Recording the assurance, the court directed that a “detailed report” be filed and posted the matter for further hearing on June 18, 2026. (Express file photo) 
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