Noisy weddings keeping Delhi police on toes

New Delhi, Nov 29: High-decibel receptions are keeping Delhi police on its toes again this wedding season, with the control room receiving around 18 calls every night of late from people seeking their help to "get the DJs shut".

According to Delhi Police, as many as 183 complaints were received by the police control room (PCR) reporting loudspeaker nuisance in connection with "marriage parties with DJ arrangements" in a 10-day span, after which patrolling teams were rushed to the spots to get them switched off.

The period from November 16 to 25 was considered auspicious for marriages. It had three auspicious wedding dates all of which were preceded and succeeded by by "loud" celebrations.

These telephonic complaints were apart from the average 30 the city police receives every day otherwise about blaring loudspeakers.

West Delhi topped the list, with more than 15 per cent calls received from the area, while northwest and east districts trailed closely.

"In all cases, the PCR teams ensured that the DJ system was closed immediately and an action taken report sent to the central control room," said DCP (PCR) R K Singh.

Of all the loudspeaker nuisance calls received during the 10-day period, one-third were received post-midnight and at least one call per night was received post 1 AM, which is three hours beyond the time limit set by the Supreme Court in 2005, according to police records.

"What has been reported regarding loudspeaker nuisance is like the tip of the iceberg as 90 per cent people do not know about the ban by the apex court. Even for the ones who know, they take the menace for granted," said a police official.

He further said, many a time people also do not want to interrupt the revelry should they be looked down upon as spoilsport or be boycotted by their neighbours, who might be participants in the celebration.

"There is a community park near our residence where marriage parties are held. There is no issue with the celebrations, provided people follow the law," said a resident of Jangpura Extension.

The P-block park is hardly 200 metres from a police post but nobody bothers, despite the matter being reported to the area station house officer multiple times, according to a local.

At times, people turn down the volume when cops arrive only to resume the music full blast after they have left, he said.

Jangpura extension comes under the southeast district of Delhi Police, which ranks sixth in receipt of loudspeaker nuisance calls.

PTI