Take action against unlicensed pubs and bars: High Court to Karnataka govt

BENGALURU: The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday directed the state government to take legal action against unlicensed pubs and bars under the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment (Bangalore City) Order 2005.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Defence Colony Residents Welfare Association and other RWAs who alleged that nuisance and sound pollution was caused by over 100 pubs and bars located in Indiranagar and surrounding areas.

The petitioner advocate submitted that the State and the City police are not strictly implementing the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment (Bangalore City) Order 2005, because of which loud music is played in pubs and bars beyond the permitted hours disturbing local residents.

The court has directed the State to submit steps taken to implement the rule by the next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, the court expressed displeasure against the State over not buying noise pollution measuring equipment and asked the State and KSPCB to estimate on the number of such equipment required in the State and to buy them accordingly.