A Muslim cleric, Mohammad Faizan, was arrested in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday after district officials reportedly heard the azaan being broadcast through a mosque loudspeaker and directed police to take action.
According to media report, District Magistrate Umesh Pratap Singh and Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi were travelling to a public grievance redressal programme, known as Samadhan Diwas, when they heard the call to prayer from a mosque in the Makbara locality. The SP reportedly called local police to the spot, where officers seized the loudspeaker and took Faizan into custody.
Police alleged that the mosque loudspeaker was operating above the prescribed noise limits. Sub-Inspector Saurabh Kumar filed a complaint, following which a case was registered against Mohammad Faizan.
According to the report, the local police station chief said Faizan was arrested on charges related to breach of peace. He was subsequently produced before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s court and sent to jail.
However, the report did not specify the noise level recorded at the mosque or establish whether authorities had measured the sound before initiating action.
Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi also suspended beat constable Lalit Kumar, citing negligence in enforcing regulations governing loudspeaker use.
Bishnoi said loudspeakers at religious places would not be permitted to operate beyond the prescribed limits. He added that religious leaders had been warned and that all police station chiefs had been instructed to obtain affidavits from beat constables confirming compliance with noise regulations in their respective areas.
He reportedly warned that further violations could result in action against both the concerned station house officer and the beat constable.
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