Sankaran Nair, J.
1. Claiming a fundamental right to use a loud speaker at public meetings to voice his views, petitioner seeks to restrain respondents ... from interfering with the use of a loud speaker by him.
2. Petitioner belongs to a denomination of Christianity, known as 'Knanaya' Christians
Commissioner of Police, Ernakulam, respectively, to sanction the use of Mike, Loud Speakers or such other Amplifier appliances by the petitioner and the organization ... three conditions, the first of which is that "mike, loud speaker etc. should not be used at any time." The petitioner
used except after obtaining written permission from
the authority.
(2) A loud speaker or a public address system or
any sound producing instrument ... conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution,
permit use of loud speakers or [public address system and
the like during night hours] (between
used except after obtaining written permission from
the authority.
(2) A loud speaker or a public address system or
any sound producing instrument ... conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution,
permit use of loud speakers or [public address system and
the like during night hours] (between
Respondent No.5 to conduct the tournament and use of loud speaker on
condition that the same should adhere to permissible limits specified ... Regarding having given permission for the cricket
tournament and for playing Loud speaker at N-2
ground, from the date 2/3/2010 till
petitioners are eking livelihood by leasing sound systems, such as
Loud Speakers, Sound Boxes, Basebin etc., to customers on
occasion of marriages. They also lease ... Rules') and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 , usage of Loud
Speakers and Public Address system in public places is banned and
as such
which was protected by the Fourteenth Amendment against State action.
"Loud-speakers are today indispensable instruments of effective public
speech. The sound truck ... controlled. But to
allow the police to bar the use of loud-speakers because their use can be
abused is like barring radio receivers because
therefore, reproduced below :
"5. Restrictions on the use of loud
speakers/public address system and sound
producing instruments -
(1) A loud speaker ... used except after obtaining written
permission from the authority.
(2) A loud speaker or a public address system or
any sound producing instrument
said Rules are extracted hereinunder:-
5. Restrictions on the Use of Loud Speakers/Public Address System [And Sound Producing Instruments].
(1) A loud speaker ... used except after obtaining written permission from the authority.
(2) A loud speaker or a public address system or any sound producing instrument
value of Rs. 26,400 and for import of loud-speakers (cone type) of the value of Rs. 6,600.
2. The petitioner ... value of Rs. 26,400 and at serial No. 18 loud-speakers (cone type) of Appendix 3 of the value
