This petition having been heard and reserved for order, coming on for pronouncement this day, the Court passed the following:

O R D E R

1] On the last date of hearing, this Court had directed the respondents/State to publish a list of silence zones in the daily newspapers of wide circulation, however, counsel for the respondents, instead of a proper publication, has shown the newspaper excerpts in which such zones have been mentioned. We find that this is not the proper compliance of the order passed by this Court, and thus, the respondents are directed to publish the list as already directed by this Court on 24.09.2026, and invite suggestions to declare other places of prominence as silence zones, which could not be included in the said list.

2] During the hearing, ACP, Khajaran, Ashish Patel had also brought a device for measuring sound pollution, however, it is informed that such device has still not been used in public to record the pollution and to take action against any person. We are of the considered opinion that such devices may be useful, provided they are handed over to the police personnel, who are on active duty to attend such complaints regarding the sound pollution. Thus, we direct that such devices may be supplied to the police personnel of every police station in Indore, and a contact number of the concerned police station on which such complaints regarding noise pollution can be made be also published in the newspapers as also the website of Indore Police so that any person who intends to make a complaint regarding noise pollution can contact the concerned person immediately.

3] We are again at pains to observe that during the last festive season of Navratri and Dussehra we have also witnessed and experienced unbridled noise pollution. Apparently, the police were totally helpless to curb and handle the noise pollution and the sources of such noise pollution. In this regard, we direct the respondents to place on record the complaints, which the various police stations across the city have received regarding noise pollution and also the suo moto complaints, if any, registered by the police on hearing the noise pollution which the entire city was tolerating.

4] Regardless of the aforesaid, we still refuse to give up on the city of Indore and are hopeful that the joint efforts of all the stakeholders would surely bring about the much-needed change and peace, which the citizen of this city crave for.

5] We are also aware that many people who are also concerned about the noise pollution, may still not inform the police in time lest they would be involved in legal proceedings, hence, for this purpose, we also direct that the SHO of each Police Station shall appoint two volunteers from each ward of the city who can immediately inform the police about the persons/vehicles involved in noise pollution in their area, and also take video of the same on their mobile. This method will also help the other members of the public of that Ward to contact those two nominated members of their Ward if they have any hesitation in contacting the police directly. Needless to say, on such complaint prompt action shall be taken by the police in accordance with law.

6] At this juncture, we may also point out to the Municipal Corporation that its garbage collection vans, which thankfully roam around the city every morning and other hours, also have installed on them loudspeakers playing the cleanliness song at its full blast. It is true that it is necessary to inform the citizens about the arrival of such vehicles in their locality, however, the sound pollution such vehicles make also crosses all the legal norms. Thus, the Municipal Corporation is also directed to ensure that the noise created by such vehicles be reduced to the permissible decibel limits for such vehicles or at least 25% of its present volume.

7] Let the compliance report be filed by the respondents within further three weeks. Let a copy of this order be also furnished t