Allahabad HC judge flags issues with full court meetings, says last 2 seemed 'stage-managed'

The death of a young girl in Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur district has sparked concern over the issue of noise pollution. Allegedly, the girl collapsed while a procession passed by her classroom on September 22, after loud music was played during the event. She was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. This incident has prompted the Allahabad High Court to take suo motu notice of the matter, questioning who is accountable for enforcing regulations on loudspeakers and sound systems.

The court's decision comes after a series of petitions (PILs) related to noise pollution were heard by a division bench of Justices Rajan Roy and Manjive Shukla. While the court has not yet determined the specific cause of the girl's death, they acknowledge that the circumstances suggest the incident may be linked to excessive noise. The high-pitched music and other sound systems seem to contribute to the growing problem of noise pollution, which continues to be a menace despite legislative measures.

The bench emphasizes the need for accountability and stricter enforcement of rules governing noise pollution. They point out that violations of these regulations are common and call for regular monitoring to ensure compliance. The court also highlights the importance of public awareness in preventing violations, as lack of knowledge is often cited as a primary reason for non-compliance.

To address this issue, the court has directed that several government departments, including those overseeing home, transport, forests, environment, housing, urban planning, and urban development, be involved in the investigation. They have also included key officials such as the Director General of Police, Police Commissioner, Pollution Control Board, Police Commissioner (Central), Urban Development Authority, and various district-level authorities as parties in the case.

The school authorities have been made an opposing party to assist in examining the incident's circumstances.

The court urges the parents of the deceased and the school to cooperate without facing undue pressure, as well as to allow the functioning of the school to continue uninterrupted.