In their plea, the two pubs urged the court to allow them to play music till 12 pm from Sunday to Thursday and till 1 pm on Friday and Saturday, in line with a government order issued in 2018 that had fixed these timings.
Following their submission, the high court sought a response from the Cyberabad police within a week.
The pubs submitted that despite complying with all norms under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and ensuring that the music levels do not exceed 55 decibels in the daytime and 45 decibels at night — as prescribed in a 2010 government order – Cyberabad cops have been entering their premises and forcibly turning off the music. They claimed there have been no complaints from neighbours so far.
The petitioners highlighted that this music ban has resulted in reduced footfall at their outlets and adversely affected their business, in which they have invested crores. They claimed they would suffer irreparable losses if the order was not revised and they were not allowed to play music for a longer time, albeit within permitted levels.
Senior counsel B Chandrasen Reddywho argued their case stated: “Covid-19 has already crippled lives. The only respite people have these days is music and food. Depriving them of this is nothing but taking away the life from the crippled lives.” He urged the court to allow them to join the case as respondents.
Justice K Lalitha posted the case to October 26 to review the status.