Loud Music in Your Car Could Get You Arrested

A recent incident in Nawab Town has sparked a heated debate online after police lodged an FIR against a car rider for playing the popular Punjabi song “Chanjar Di Pawan Chankar” too loudly. The case, filed by ASI Rahmat Ali, was deemed by many on social media as an overreach and a breach of privacy.

However, the police action was based on a specific provincial law: The Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act, 2015. The suspect was charged under Section 6 of this Act, making it crucial to understand what this law actually says.

The Law in Question: Section 6

The suspect was charged under Section 6, the punishment clause of the Act. It states that violating Sections 3 or 4 can lead to:

• Imprisonment of up to six months.

• A fine between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 100,000.

What Are the Actual Violations? (Sections 3 & 4)

The arrest hinges on what Sections 3 and 4 prohibit:

• Section 3: The Broad Rule: Bans any sound system creating noise that annoys, disturbs, or endangers the peace and safety of the public. Loud music from a car on a public road easily fits this description.

• Section 4: Specific Public Nuisance: Explicitly prohibits using a sound system in a public place (like a road) in a way likely to annoy people nearby.

Privacy vs. Public Nuisance

The public criticism hinges on the right to privacy within one’s personal vehicle. However, the law’s framing is based on the impact of that noise on the public sphere. The police argue that the sound exceeded the private confines of the vehicle and entered public space, thereby falling under the Act’s regulations.

Whether the police action was too harsh is a matter of debate. However, they did have a legal basis. This case serves as a stark reminder that personal entertainment can be considered a public offense under this law, with serious financial and legal consequences.