Noise pollution: Cops act against Dargah

The Versova police are set to take action against the Versova Dargah for playing Qawwalis on loudspeakers for four days till 4 am during the procession of Versova's Hazrat Sayyed Shukrullah Shah Baba Dargah. The loudspeakers were used to play Qawwalis and sermons throughout the night since Friday to Monday causing disturbance to the residents. Many residents had complained the police against the blaring sound, however, no action was taken to stop the music.

The Versova police now claim that they have recorded the decibel level on Monday night. "We have taken all the necessary measures and have also recorded the decibel levels. The permissible limits have been flouted and rule too. We are registering the case against the organiser of the festival under the relevant law," said Kiran Kale, Senior Police Inspector of Versova Police Station.

Divisional Assistant Commissioner of Police, Arun Chavan, said, "We have followed the procedure and according to the law, the action will be taken."

Meanwhile, Siraj Haidad , president of the Versova Kokni Sunni Jamat Trust who organised the Urs, claimed that there were no violations as the sound was not coming out from Dargah. "We have not been approached by the police yet. Mainly the festival comes once in the year for four days and the voice of the loudspeaker and the Qawwalis was at the minimal level," he said.