UP mosque cleric booked for using loudspeaker without permit
text_fields
Representational image.
Jahanabad: A case has been registered against a mosque cleric in Jahanabad for allegedly violating loudspeaker restrictions, police said on Sunday.
Station House Officer (SHO) Manoj Kumar Mishra stated that sub-inspector Varun filed the FIR, citing that a loudspeaker was used at high volume during 'namaaz' at the Kazitola mosque on the afternoon of March 1.
According to police, Maulvi Ashfaq had been informed of the restrictions on February 25, which mandated prior permission for loudspeaker use. Despite this, he allegedly used a loudspeaker during 'azaan' on February 28 as well and failed to produce any authorization when questioned.
A case has been filed against him under Sections 223 (disobedience to public servant’s order), 270 (public nuisance), and 293 (continuing nuisance after injunction) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The SHO noted that ongoing Board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 were being disrupted by the loudspeaker, causing inconvenience to students and seriously ill individuals.
In a related incident, three persons were booked for allegedly installing loudspeakers at religious places in violation of government and Pollution Control Board norms. Police reported that two loudspeakers had been installed in Tiyori village, disregarding noise pollution regulations.
The Allahabad High Court has previously ruled that religious places are meant for prayer and devotion, and the use of loudspeakers cannot be claimed as a right when it creates a nuisance for residents. Similarly, the Bombay High Court recently emphasized strict measures against loudspeakers, deeming them non-essential to religious practices.
In May 2022, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the use of loudspeakers for 'azaan' is not protected as a fundamental right. The court dismissed a petition by a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district, Irfan, who had sought to overturn a sub-divisional magistrate’s decision rejecting his request for loudspeaker use.
With PTI inputs
