Punjab and Haryana High Court allows Diljit Dosanjh concert in Chandigarh

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday permitted Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh to go ahead with his concert in Chandigarh on Saturday..A Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, however, directed the concert organizers to abide by the Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules."Looking at the preparations made by the official respondents as well as the private respondents, this Court has no hesitation in allowing the event from taking place subject to ambient air quality standards in respect of noise being maintained at the boundary of place where the event is being held, to a maximum of 75db," the Court ordered.It added that in case the noise levels increase beyond 75 decibels, the authorities are directed to take penal action against the organizers in accordance with the rules."Reduce the volume a little bit," the Court remarked during the hearing..The Court earlier observed that citizens deserve a peaceful night."Please maintain the decibel level. There are senior citizens living around that place. How will they sleep, they may have heart attack. That is a possibility," Justice Nagu remarked.The Court also observed that concerts should generally take place at a stadium with a facility for parking a large number of cars. "I think these events should be held outside Chandigarh," Chief Justice Nagu remarked.UT Administration said permissions are unlikely to be given for future for Sector 34. However, with regard to the events scheduled this month, Chandigarh Administration said the petitioner has made a representation at the fag end."Tickets have already been sold," it was submitted..A Public Interest Litigation was moved before the High Court seeking directions to the Chandigarh Administration for a detailed report on traffic management, crowd control and security measures for Dosanjh's concert on December 14.The PIL moved by a Chandigarh-based advocate Ranjeet Singh sought to restrain the organizers from going ahead with the event without adequate safety measures.The petitioner alleged that singer Karan Aujla’s concert at the same venue recently caused widespread disruption due to traffic jam."The authorities and organizers failed to plan adequately for managing traffic, controlling noise levels, and ensuring the smooth functioning of emergency services, thereby violating citizens' fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution," the PIL stated..It further said that Dosanjh's concert at same venue in Sector 34 raises a concern that people will again be made to face similar issues."Sector 34 is in the heart of the UT Chandigarh, and adjoin sector 32 where all the medical and health services are there, and emergency health services need to pass sector 34, further the concert are continuously going to take place at same venue and after artist Karan Aujala on 7.12.2024 now artist Diljit Dosanjh is performing at same venue on 14.12.2024, and further AP Dhillion is going to perform at same venue on 21.12.2024."The failure of authorities to manage public events effectively infringes upon the citizens' right to life and personal liberty, the plea contends..Senior Advocate Amit Jhanji, representing Chandigarh Administration, said the area in question has been declared as no-vehicle zone for Saturday. The cars will be parked in Sector 17 and other nearby areas but not in Sector 34, the Court was told. "Traffic management is being taken care of," Jhanji submitted.On measures to ensure crow control, Jhanji said 2,400 police personnel would be deployed. "This time we are taking more care because in the previous concert there were only 500 police personnel. Now it is four times that and there are 600-700 private security also. There are around 50 gates for entrance," it was submitted. .Senior Advocate Akshay Bhan, representing the organizers, submitted that event will end before 10 PM.He apprised the Court about the decibel levels to be maintained at the concert. The Court was also told about the advisory issued by Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) to the organizers. "All speakers are fixed at a level. 120db is the fixed volume ... 120db won't be exceeded because children are going to be there," Bhan submitted during the hearing..The matter will be heard again on December 18 for reporting compliance.