Allahabad High Court opens noise-pollution case after student’s death

The Allahabad High Court has initiated suo motu proceedings on noise pollution after reports of the death of a seven-year-old student at a school in Balrampur. The child, identified as Vaishnavi Tiwari, was a Class 2 student at Divine Public School on City Palace Road in Bhagautiganj. The incident occurred on September 22 while a procession carrying loudspeakers and a music system was passing nearby.

The procession was reportedly part of a 10-day Ganpati Utsav that began on September 14. The court, however, clarified that it had not established a connection between the alleged loud noise and the child’s death. A Division Bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla ordered the registration of a separate suo motu public-interest litigation while hearing an existing case involving pressure horns, modified silencers and hooters.

The Bench said the incident raised broader questions about the unchecked problem of noise pollution and the enforcement of statutory safeguards. It noted that violations of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, were frequently seen in public spaces. The new case will examine which authorities are responsible for controlling noise, the enforcement measures currently in place and whether regular monitoring is required.

The court also stressed public awareness and said continued violations despite enforcement measures should attract accountability under the law. The court made the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the Central Pollution Control Board, Lucknow civic authorities and officials of key government departments parties to the case. The Balrampur District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and Chief Medical Officer were also directed to be impleaded.

The State was asked to obtain reports on the incident and provide details of measures taken or proposed to enforce noise-control rules. The court also said it hoped the child’s parents and school authorities would not face unnecessary pressure or interference. The case will next be heard on October 12.