Police rejection of event permission set aside; fresh application must be considered subject to noise-control conditions.

The petitioner challenged the third respondent police officer’s order dated 24 September 2026 rejecting permission for a music competition near Alamara Pandi Temple, Usilampatti, proposed for 3 and 4 October 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

He relied on an earlier case in which a rejection of permission was set aside and permission was subsequently obtained after a fresh representation.

The respondents relied on the DGP’s memorandum dated 10 August 2016 concerning loudspeaker use and permissible noise levels.

1. Whether the police rejection order dated 24 September 2026 should be set aside and the petitioner allowed to seek permission afresh to hold the event.

2. Whether the event could be held subject to restrictions on loudspeaker type, noise levels, duration, and timing.

The Court considered the DGP memorandum dated 10 August 2016, issued with reference to G.O. (Ms) No. 3485, Home (Pol IV) Department, dated 29 December 1977, this Court’s judgment in W.P. No. 12165 of 1985 (Batch), and the Supreme Court’s decision in In Re: Noise Pollution Case, dated 18 July 2005.

The memorandum prohibits cone/horn-type loudspeakers and permits only box-type speakers, subject to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000; at the boundary of the public place, noise must not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient noise standard or 75 dB(A), whichever is lower.

The Court directed that any fresh representation comply with the memorandum and applicable conditions.

In light of the cited memorandum and noise-control requirements, the Court did not grant unconditional permission for the proposed two-day event.

It instead set aside the rejection and allowed the petitioner to make a fresh representation on the basis that he would comply with the prescribed noise conditions; the police were to consider that representation and impose appropriate conditions.

The Court further restricted any permitted event to one day, between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

The police were directed to consider it and pass appropriate orders subject to conditions; any event permitted could take place for one day only, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.