Saturday, 11 August 2012

Right to use loudspeakers and the reasonable restrictions for abating sound pollution.

P. A. Jacob v. The Superintendent of Police, Kotta Yani AIR 1993 Ker. 1
Here, claiming a fundamental right to used a loud speaker at public meetings to voice his views, petitioner sought to restrain respondents from interfering with the use of a loud speaker by him.
The main issue for contention was whether the Constitution guarantees a right to use a sound amplifying device or whether use of such a device is part of the right to freedom of speech guaranteed under Art. 19 (1)(a).
The Court held that Operation of mechanical sound amplifying devices conflicts with quite enjoyment of men and park. But freedom of speech does not involve freedom to used sound amplifiers to drown out natural speech of others. Further, while the petitioner has a right to express his views, he has no right to force his message upon an audience declining to receive it. Freedom guaranteed is freedom of expression of ideas, not freedom of expression of ideas, not freedom of modes of expression. Thus, compulsory exposure of unwilling person to dangerous and disastrous levels of noise amounts to infringement of their right to life under Art. 21 of constitution of India.
Finally the court held that while petitioner has no fundamental right to use a loud speaker, he can avail of the amenity of using a loud speaker in reasonable manner. The out put from the loud speaker shall not exceed the range necessary to reach the audience, it exceeded police will be free to stop the use of loud speakers.

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