Plea to remove loudspeakers: NGT seeks response from city govt

The National Green Tribunal today sought a response from Delhi government on a plea to remove loudspeakers from a temple in Palam Colony here which is used allegedly for exorcising persons allegedly possessed by evil spirits.
A bench, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, issued a notice to the city government, the Delhi Police Commissioner and others while posting the matter for next hearing on October 17.
"Issue notice to the respondents by registered post/ acknowledgement due and Dasti as well. Notice returnable on October 17," the bench said.
The bench also granted liberty to the applicant to approach the competent authority if there is violation of the notification in relation to the prescription of the noise standards.

The Tribunal was hearing a plea by Nidhi, a resident of Palam Colony, which said that two private persons, claiming to be priests, were running temples in the plots for exorcising of ghosts and were using loudspeakers and other musical instruments causing noise pollution and violating the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Noise Pollution (Regulations and Control) Rules, 2000.
"Direct the respondent no 7 and 8 (private persons)to stop using the loudspeakers, amplifiers, musical instruments, DJ sets and other mode of musical instruments in their temples which are causing annoyance, disturbance and noise pollution," the plea said.

The plea, filed through advocate Satya Narayan Vashishth, also seeks a direction to two private persons, who run the temples, to stop burning woods in the open for making ash (bhabbut) which is causing air pollution in the area.
The plea has alleged that due to smoke emanating from burning of wood, father of Nidhi, who is suffering from asthma, is unable to breathe.
It also seeks a direction to the Deputy Commissioner of SDMC, Najafgarh Zone, to immediately remove the hoardings which have been placed on the roads.