Author: PTI
Publication: Rediff on Net
Date: February 4, 2005
URL: http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/feb/04hc.htm
Patna High Court took serious objection
to the use of loudspeakers at a mosque near its premises on Friday.
The court ordered the district magistrate
Sudhir Kumar and senior superintendent of police N H Khan to ensure that
loudspeakers for 'azaan' (muazzin's prayer call between 1 pm and 4 pm everyday)
did not interrupt court hours.
Justice R S Garg had complained
that the loudspeaker annoyed him while he was in the middle of a hearing.
He pointed out that the mosque had violated a High Court order to stop
using loudspeakers.
He directed the two senior district
officials, apart from the members of the managing committee of the mosque,
its 'Muezzin' (assistant Imam) and the officer in-charge of the Kotwali
police station to appear before the court on February 28.
The judge also ordered a police
official to be present at the mosque to ensure that loudspeakers were not
used for 'azaan'.
Justice Garg observed: "The members
of the managing committee consider themselves privileged at their being
close to the powers and have the audacity to violate the court's order.
The court would not spare anyone defying its orders."
Following this, a police team arrested
the Imam and three others. They also seized the loudspeaker.
This triggered protests by Muslims
who had assembled for Friday prayers on Bailey Road.
The Imam was taken to the court
and later let off.
Last year, the High Court had issued
a notice to the mosque to stop using the loudspeaker.
