Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra govt to file an additional affidavit clarifying whether noise pollution rules and firecracker restrictions were violated during recent public events at Samvidhan Square, observing that the police affidavit placed before it did not address these issues.A division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nivedita Mehta on Wednesday heard a batch of PILs concerning pollution control and environmental compliance in Nagpur, including issues relating to noise pollution during public celebrations.Assistant govt pleader NS Rao informed that five organisers sought permission to hold events at Samvidhan Square. Permission was granted to four organisers.As per an affidavit filed by DCP Zone II, the organiser who was denied permission went ahead with the event, leading to an FIR.After examining the affidavit, the bench observed that it did not indicate whether noise pollution norms were breached or whether firecrackers were used in violation of rules.The AGP informed that an additional affidavit addressing those aspects would be filed, following which the court permitted the state to place it on record.Deputy solicitor general Kartik Shukul submitted that a public awareness programme directed by the court in an earlier order of April 9, 2026, was already initiated.Amicus curiae Abdul Subhan pointed out that the collector informed through an affidavit dated April 4 that an integrated online grievance mechanism under the “Pollution-Free Nagpur” initiative would be developed within 120 days. The proposed platform is intended to allow citizens to lodge and monitor complaints online while integrating the systems of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Nagpur Improvement Trust and the Nagpur police for coordinated action.Noting that no progress report was placed on record, the judges directed the govt to obtain instructions from the collector and submit an update on the portal’s development before the next hearing.Subhan also informed that instances of alleged noise pollution violations occurred in the last two to three days and said he would place video recordings before the bench. The judges directed him to also submit the recordings to the police commissioner and observed that the police were expected to take appropriate action after examining the alleged violations. The matters have been posted for further hearing on July 29.
