Introduction:

The Gujarat High Court, in Amit Manibhai Panchal v. Kaivan M. Dastoor & Ors [R/MCA/649/2025 in R/WPPIL/101/2022], has issued notice on a plea alleging wilful non-compliance with judicial directions and statutory regulations concerning noise pollution. The division bench comprising Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice Nisha M. Thakore directed the respondent authorities, including the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and the Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, to formulate a policy or mechanism to ensure the implementation of orders passed by the High Court, the Supreme Court, and the December 2019 notification governing noise pollution control.

Arguments:

The petitioner, Amit Panchal, contended that despite specific orders passed in March 2024 by a coordinate bench in a 2022 PIL, as well as the Supreme Court’s directives in Noise Pollution (V) in Re Vs. Union of India & Anr. (2005) 5 SCC 733, the respondent authorities had failed to act. He highlighted the rampant use of loudspeakers, woofers, and other sound systems in public places without sound limiters, in clear violation of statutory provisions under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Panchal emphasized that such violations adversely impacted students preparing for examinations, elderly individuals, and patients suffering from health conditions.

Judgement:

In response, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, with one of the judges remarking that even they had personally experienced the effects of noise pollution. The case will be heard again after four weeks, with the court instructing the authorities to report on their compliance efforts. The matter underscores the urgency of enforcing noise pollution regulations and ensuring public well-being.