SC permits use of loudspeakers on 'Chath Puja'

New Delhi, Oct 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court today permitted the use of loudspeakers and public address system for religious rituals and crowd control at Juhu beach in Mumbai on the occasion of 'Chath puja'.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam granted permission on the petition filed by the 'Bihari Front.' Earlier, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the local administration was not granting permission to use loudspeakers and public address system needed to control large crowds which throng Juhu beach on the occasion of 'Chath puja' as this is the main festival of those belonging to Bihar.

According to the petitioner, ban on the use of loudspeakers may lead to some untoward incident.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has been opposing 'Chath puja' on Juhu beach.

UNI SC SY RP SB KP1537