Indiranagar pub row: High court slams Bengaluru Police for inspecting midnight noise levels in the afternoon
A division bench headed by chief justice Ajay Shreeniwas Oka observed that the Indiranagar petitioners’ specific case was regarding the pubs and restaurants in the area playing music after midnight. It questioned the police’s action of undertaking inspections of these establishments only between 4-6 pm and 8-9.
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FollowBengaluru: Despite the Indiranagar residents raising complaints about the blaring music played in pubs and restaurants in the area after midnight, these establishments are being inspected by police for violation only in late afternoons and evenings
Reportedly, a division bench headed by chief justice Ajay Shreeniwas Oka observed that the petitioners’ specific case was regarding the pubs and restaurants in the area playing music after midnight. It questioned the police’s action of undertaking inspections of these establishments only between 4-6 pm and 8-9.
The bench’s question was why the police were not conducting inspections after 12.30 am. It said that this nothing but a callous approach on their part.
The bench expressed surprise seeing one of the documents submitted by the police where the time of inspection mentioned was 12.35 pm. The bench said that the police have filed reports without even verifying it.
According to the bench, the police had said that Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials had accompanied them to inspect these establishments. But none of the reports were signed by the KSPCB officials. It said that this is nothing but a case of defiance from the police’s end and that the court will not tolerate such mischief.
The bench gave a warning saying that it will have to summon the city police commissioner with an affidavit which states how he wants to resolve the issue, if this approach continues.
The bench adjourned the hearing to June 26 and directed the city police to submit reports after conducting surprise inspections in the presence of petitioners.
Police were told to submit their requirement of equipment to measure noise levels in the entire city and they were also asked to provide security to petitioners.
Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was asked to conduct inspections of rooftop bars operating in the area.
According to reports, AS Ponnanna, a senior advocate who has been engaged as the counsel told the court that the police had used six devices to measure noise levels in Indiranagar area. He also said that since the last hearing on June 13, no complaints have been filed regarding playing of music after midnight.
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