The Chhattisgarh High Court heard a suo moto public interest litigation (PIL) regarding noise pollution.
The Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a news article highlighting noise pollution issues in Raipur.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad heard arguments from the Advocate General and various counsel representing respondents and interveners.
The state authorities submitted an affidavit detailing measures taken to curb noise pollution, including seizures of noise-polluting instruments and vehicles.
However, the interveners alleged that the same penalty was imposed for second-time offenders, contrary to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, which mandate increased penalties for repeat offenders.
The court directed the Advocate General to file an affidavit addressing the applicability of the Noise Rules 2000 and the imposition of penalties for second-time offenders.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 29, 2025.