BJP-Backed Gram Panchayat member arrested for illegal liquor sale in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Jayananda Kulal, a member of the Ganjimutt Gram Panchayat supported by the BJP, was arrested by Bajpe Police on Wednesday for the alleged illegal sale of liquor at a roadside shop in Mogaru village.
Jayananda Kulal, known for his active involvement in the Sangh Parivar, is reported to have close ties with Mangalore North MLA Dr. Y Bharat Shetty, as suggested by local Congress activists who shared a photo of the two on social media.
The arrest was made following charges of unlawfully selling liquor at a makeshift kiosk in Thekkemar, Mogaru village. Bajpe Police, on their routine patrol on Wednesday evening, observed customers fleeing from the kiosk upon noticing the police vehicle. This suspicious activity prompted the police to investigate further.
Upon inspection of the kiosk, the police discovered 18 tetra packs containing up to 90 ml of liquor from various brands. Jayananda Kulal, the proprietor of the kiosk, was taken into custody. The FIR filed against him alleges that he procured liquor from a nearby shop in Thekkemar and sold it at an inflated price in his kiosk.
Despite the incident occurring on December 27, Bajpe Police refrained from informing the media about the case, leading to criticism on social media. Concerns were raised regarding the absence of information on the police blog, where details of recent cases are typically uploaded. Users also noted the contrasting handling of a recent cattle transport case, which was made available on the police blog.
In response to allegations of discrimination, Bajpe Station Inspector Sandeep clarified that there was no bias in their actions. He explained that if a case is related to the Excise Department, a police officer might refuse information, and in such instances, it is advisable for the media to contact senior officers for details.
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Use of loudspeakers not essential part of any religion, says Bombay HC
orders action against violation
Mumbai (PTI): Use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion, the Bombay High Court said on Thursday, directing the law enforcement agencies to take prompt action against loudspeakers that violate the noise pollution norms and rules.
A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and S C Chandak said noise was a major health hazard and no one can claim that their rights are affected in any manner if he or she is denied permission to use loudspeakers.
The HC asked the state government to direct religious institutions to adopt mechanisms for controlling noise levels, including calibrated sound systems with auto-decibel limits.
The court passed its judgment on a petition filed by two housing associations from suburban Kurla - Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-operative Housing Societies Association Ltd - alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area.
The petitioners contended that the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, including the recitation of 'azaan' (Islamic call to prayer) disturbed the peace and violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as well as provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The bench in its order said Mumbai was a cosmopolitan city and obviously there are persons of different religions in every part of the city.
"It is in public interest that such permissions should not be granted. By denying such permissions, rights under Article 19 or 25 of the Constitution of India are not at all infringed. Use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion," the HC said.
The court said it was the "bounden duty" of the state government and other authorities to enforce the law by adopting all the necessary measures, as may be prescribed by the provisions of law.
"In a democratic State, there cannot be a situation that, a person/group of persons/association of persons would say that, it will not follow or adhere to the law of the land and the law enforcers would be meek or silent spectators to it," the judgment said.
It added that common citizens are "hapless and helpless victims of these obnoxious use of loudspeakers and/or amplifiers".
The court said the police must act on complaints against loudspeakers violating the noise pollution rules without requiring identification of the complainant to avoid such complainants being targets or ill will and developing hatred.
"We direct the State to consider to direct all the concerned to have in-built mechanism to control decibel level in their loudspeakers/voice amplifiers/public address system or other sound emitting gadgets used by any religious place/structure/institution, irrespective of religion," the bench ordered.
The State may also seriously consider to issue directions for calibration and/or auto-fixation of decibel limit of loudspeakers/voice amplifiers/public address system or other sound emitting gadgets used by any or all the religions in their respective places of prayers or worship, the HC said.
The court also directed the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, to issue instructions to all police stations to take prompt action in case of any complaint against loudspeakers at religious places.
"We take a judicial note of the fact that, generally people/citizens do not complain about the things until it becomes intolerable and a nuisance," the bench said.
Reminding the authorities that ambient noise levels must not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night in residential areas, the court added that cumulative noise from all sources must adhere to these limits.
"The law does not permit that, every individual loudspeaker will emit 55 or 45 decibels of noise aggregating to more than what is prescribed under the said Rules. That would amount to frustrating the intention of the Legislature," the court said.
The court said the police may also withdraw permissions granted to the said trusts/institutions for the use of loudspeakers, if repeated violation of the provisions of the said Noise Pollution Rules are brought to their notice.
