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.
Mosque rapped for disturbing HC session
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.
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