“This seems to be a deliberate and intentional attempt by the state government so that noise levels are not checked during the ongoing Navratri and upcoming Diwali festivals,” said Justice Abhay Oka, as he lashed out at the state government yesterday for failing to procure decibel meters so that the noise levels can be checked during the festivals.

The Bombay HC bench of justice Amjad Sayed, along with Oka observed that in January this year, the police department was asked to give the total count of the decibel meters it would require. Since then, the state government was asked to start the process of buying the decibel meters, so that the task gets finished before the crucial festivals like Ganpati, Navratri and Diwali.