PANJIM: The trance and rave party big daddies have been silenced. The permission-less illegal music shows on dream beaches, forests, and underground locations have faced the music from the High Court which today directed that music will be played outdoors in any establishment after 10 pm.
The court was made abreast of news reports carried by the Herald which the Advocates for the petitioners relied on to press the issue of non-compliance of orders by nightlife establishments playing loud music after midnight.
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In a historic order, the Division Bench comprising Justice M S Sonak and Justice B P Deshpande categorically stated that prima facie any activities involving playing of music outdoors after 10 pm would be illegal and unauthorised and directed the authorities to take action in accordance with the law to prevent such illegal activities.
Justice Sonak further asked the State to procure noise level monitoring systems, before the peak season since “there is no point in locking the stables after the horses have bolted”.
In a scathing observation, the Bench said, “Authorities are not taking serious action, thereby resulting in the breach of the rules by such parties/entities. From the advertisements, it is obvious that such shows/events are held commercially and added that although the authorities are duty-bound to take actions against the violators, no such actions are forthcoming.”
The Court also directed both – North and South Superintendent of Police to file Action Taken Report (ATR) on all outdoor shows/events held beyond 10 pm in their respective jurisdiction before the next hearing fixed on December 14.
Arguing on behalf of one of the petitioners Arnold D’Sa, Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira placed on record 14 advertisements of shows/events held between November 19 and 25 this year. These advertisements were about music shows or programmes held outdoors in the coastal areas of Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora, Arambol, Morjim, Mandrem, etc. These advertisements stated that such shows were held either 8 pm onwards or 7 pm onwards and so on. There were some advertisements that referred to such shows being held even from 10 am onwards, he said.
Stating that these shows had already taken place in the open where loud music was played outdoors beyond 10 pm, Adv Ferreira submitted that despite complaints no action was forthcoming from the authorities, who were duty-bound to take such action.
The Bench took into account about 14 advertisements in respect of the events held between November 19, 2022 and November 25, 2022. These advertisements are about music shows or programs held outdoors, including in the coastal areas of Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora, Arambol, Morjim, Mandrem, etc. These advertisements state that such shows are held either 8.00 pm onwards or 7.00 pm onwards and so on. There are some advertisements that refer to such shows being held even from 10.00 pm onwards
The court then stated, “However, Mr ( Adv Carlos) Ferreira has placed on record about 15 advertisements in respect of events/music shows, proposed between November 30, 2022 and December 23, 2022. Some of the advertisements state that the events/shows are to be held between 8.00 to 6.00 pm.”
The Court said that since no permissions have been given to play music outdoors after 10 pm, the authorities are duty-bound to ensure compliance.
The matter will be next heard on December 14
