• Source:JND
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Azaan Row: A first information report (FIR) was registered against two persons after "azaan" was sounded using a loudspeaker at a mosque in the western suburbs, in Mumbai. A Mumbai Police official said on Friday acting on a complaint lodged by a police constable, a case has been registered against Shahnawaz Khan, a trustee of the mosque, and a muezzin who gave the call for "azaan" (early morning prayers) in the Wanjewadi locality of Mahim.

The constable in his complaint said he had received a video showing the prayer call being given from a loudspeaker. The police personnel claimed that during the probe, he didn't receive a satisfactory response from the muezzin, prompting him to take action.

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Bombay High Court's Direction On Loudspeaker At Mosque

The action followed by the Bombay High Court order made in January, in which it directed the police to take prompt action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules, noting that the use of loudspeakers is not considered an essential part of any religion.

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The FIR has been registered under section 223 (disobeying the order of a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he added.

Imam Booked For Playing Loudspeaker Beyond Volume Limits

Meanwhile, a similar case was reported in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal in March this year. Police registered a case against an imam and seized a loudspeaker from a mosque in the Chandausi area of Sambhal district for allegedly using it for 'azaan' at a volume exceeding the prescribed decibel limits.

The action was taken against the mosque management in the Punjabhiyan locality, where 'azaan' or 'call to prayer' was played at a volume violating the prescribed limits set by the court.

"A case has been registered against Hafiz Shakeel Shamsi, the imam of the mosque, under Sections 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), and 270 (public nuisance) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. The loudspeaker has been seized, and legal proceedings are underway," the statement said.

(With PTI inputs)