A Muslim cleric, Mohammad Faizan, was arrested in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh after district officials reportedly heard the azaan being broadcast through a mosque loudspeaker and ordered police action.
According to a report in Hindi, District Magistrate Umesh Pratap Singh and Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi were travelling to a public grievance redressal event, known as Samadhan Diwas, on Saturday when they heard the call to prayer from a mosque in the Makbara locality.
The SP reportedly summoned local police to the spot. Police seized the loudspeaker installed at the mosque and took Faizan into custody.
FIR Filed Over Alleged Noise Violation
Police alleged that the loudspeaker’s volume exceeded the prescribed limits. Sub-Inspector Saurabh Kumar filed a complaint, based on which a case was registered against Mohammad Faizan.
The local police station chief said Faizan was arrested and booked for breach of peace. He was subsequently produced before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s court and sent to jail, according to the report.
The report did not specify the decibel level recorded at the mosque or whether authorities had conducted a sound measurement before taking action.
Beat Constable Suspended
The SP also suspended beat constable Lalit Kumar, citing negligence in enforcing the rules governing loudspeaker use.
Bishnoi said loudspeakers at religious places would not be allowed to operate beyond the prescribed limits. He added that religious leaders had been warned and that all police station chiefs had been directed to obtain affidavits from beat constables confirming compliance with noise regulations in their respective areas.
He reportedly warned that further violations could lead to action against both the concerned station house officer and the beat constable.
