Nagpur: In view of the upcoming festive season and to prevent accidents, health hazards, noise pollution and potential law-and-order issues, Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil has issued prohibitory orders banning DJs and beam lights under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
The orders will remain in force from midnight on September 3 to 11.59 pm on November 1, 2026, covering a series of major festivals and religious events in the city, including Gokulashtami, Dahi Handi, Pola, Tanhā Pola, Tajuddin Baba Chhabbisvi, Ganesh idol arrival and immersion processions, Ganeshotsav, Dhammachakra Pravartan Din and Durga Devi idol arrival and immersion processions.
Ban on beam and laser lights
The first order prohibits the use of beam lights and laser beam lights during the festive period. Owners and holders of such equipment, as well as organisers of Dahi Handi, Pola, Tanhā Pola, Tajuddin Baba Chhabbisvi, Ganesh and Durga Devi events and Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din programmes, have been directed to keep the equipment sealed in their possession and not use it.
According to the police order, powerful beam and laser lights can potentially cause eye injuries and health risks. The lights may also affect motorists’ vision and vehicle control, increasing the possibility of road accidents and subsequent law-and-order problems.
Multi-layered Dolby sound systems also prohibited
In a separate order, the Nagpur Police have prohibited the use of Dolby sound systems featuring top, mid and bass multi-speaker configurations, Plasma sound systems and Pressure Mid sound systems, along with vehicles modified to carry such systems.
Police have cited concerns over noise pollution, road safety and possible tensions between organisers, political or social groups and the police administration.
The order states that stacking multiple speakers in layers to create wall-like sound systems can lead to violations of permissible noise limits under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
Modified vehicles used for transporting or operating such sound systems have also been ordered to be kept sealed and not put to use during the prohibited period.
However, the notification specifically clarifies that sound systems which do not violate the prescribed noise limits under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 will not come under this prohibition.
Both orders were issued by Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil on September 2, 2026, exercising powers vested under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023.
