Telangana HC directs police to book pubs violating no music after 10 PM orders

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court directed the commissioners of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda police to strictly implement the court's earlier orders with respect to pubs playing music. It asked the police to book cases under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 against the pubs found violating the rules and cautioned that failure on part of the police will be viewed seriously.

On Monday, a High Court Single Bench headed by Justice Kanneganti Lalitha adjudicated the two writ petitions filed by Jubilee Hills Residents Green Colony Association and Subhash Reddy, a resident of Jubilee Hills.

GP for Home department T. Srikanth Reddy sought some more time to the commissioner of police, Hyderabad on filing a counter affidavit as earlier directed by the High Court citing ambiguity as there are several Acts involved in the matter.

When the judge queried, the GP informed the court that the police are implementing the court orders.

Counsel for the petitioners informed the court that no court orders are being implemented and that the police are not taking measures to stop pubs from playing music. Moreover, the pubs are playing music without obtaining license for amusements.

Counsel for another petitioner Subhash Reddy informed the court that some pubs which are below the 500 mtr radius from residential areas are granted licenses by the Excise department.

GHMC standing counsel Pasham Krishna Reddy informed the court that GHMC is not authorised to grant trade licenses to pubs and amusements and the licenses are issued on a formal basis only.

The court adjourned the matter after the Dussehra holidays and directed the police to strictly implement the earlier court orders and book cases against the violators under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 and also against the owners of the pubs that violate the court orders.

The Hyderabad CP was directed to file his counter affidavit in the next hearing.

Both the petitioners were directed to file their affidavits informing the violations on the part of pubs in respect of playing music, dancing, etc., and the pubs that are running in residential areas.

The commissioner of Prohibition and Excise was also directed to file his counter.