HC pulls up UT cops for turning deaf ear to noise pollution

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8

Lambasting the Chandigarh Police for turning a deaf ear to the noise pollution caused by bikers riding away from the rules on two-wheelers with modified silencers, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today said they could hear the din in their homes, but not the cops in police stations.

The assertion came even as the Chandigarh Administration claimed the shooting off a communiqué to the cops in Mohali and Ropar for initiating action against mechanics modifying silencers.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, a Division Bench of the High Court verbally asked the UT Administration to give the details of the offenders riding bikes with modified silencers. The Bench indicates that the offenders would be summoned by the Court in the matter.

The Bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal observed they could hear the din created by the modified silencers in their homes in Sector 4. But the cops in the Sector 3 police station apparently could not. Observing that nothing much had changed, the Bench also questioned the cops on the number of challans in the area falling under the jurisdiction of the Sector 3 police station.

The police, on the other hand, apprised the court of their efforts by submitting an affidavit. Among other things, they said 778 challans were issued last year for noise pollution due to silencers and loud music. So far this year, 690 challans have been issued. No less than 71 motorcycles had also been impounded. The Bench was also told that mechanics and shopkeepers involved in the modification of silencers in and around Chandigarh had been identified.

The developments took place on a petition against bikers riding two-wheelers with silencers removed or modified. Taking up the petition filed in public interest against the UT Administration and other respondents by Dr Bhavneet Goyal and other respondents, the High Court on the previous date of hearing had called for details of challans and impounding of vehicles.

The petitioner, a Chandigarh resident, had earlier submitted before the High Court that the bikers were openly flouting traffic norms by removing or modifying bike silencers to produce a jarring noise. It was not only scaring passers-by, but also creating noise pollution. The petitioner also submitted that the modified bikes were further creating noise pollution by using pressure horns.

‘690 challans issued so far this year’

The police, on the other hand, apprised the court of their efforts by submitting an affidavit. Among other things, they said 778 challans were issued last year for noise pollution due to silencers and loud music. So far this year, 690 challans have been issued. No less than 71 motorcycles had also been impounded. The Bench was also told that mechanics and shopkeepers involved in the modification of silencers in and around Chandigarh had been identified.