The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted approval for Diljit Dosanjh’s concert to take place in Chandigarh, clearing the way for the event.

On Friday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court gave the green light for Diljit Dosanjh’s concert in Chandigarh’s Sector 34, set for Saturday, but with strict stipulations to adhere to noise pollution regulations and safety protocols. The Court mandated that the noise level at the event’s boundary should not exceed 75 decibels and warned that organizers would face legal consequences if this limit were breached. The Bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, emphasized that noise control measures must be strictly followed to prevent disturbance to residents, particularly senior citizens. Justice Nagu remarked, “Citizens deserve a peaceful night,” expressing concern over the event’s potential impact on public peace.
The concert, part of a more extensive series of events in the city, had been challenged in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Ranjeet Singh, who raised several concerns, including traffic disruptions, noise pollution, and the impact on emergency services. Singh pointed out that a recent concert by singer Karan Aujla at the same venue had caused traffic jams and hindered access to medical facilities in nearby sectors. The PIL argued that such events, particularly in high-density areas like Sector 34, compromise the fundamental rights of citizens under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution, especially when the authorities fail to implement proper traffic and crowd control measures.
In response to these concerns, the Chandigarh Administration presented a detailed plan to ensure the event would be safely managed. Senior Advocate Amit Jhanji, representing the administration, assured the Court that Sector 34 would be declared a no-vehicle zone for the concert duration. He confirmed that parking would be directed to nearby sectors like Sector 17, with security and traffic management overseen by 2,400 police officers and 600-700 private security personnel. The authorities also promised to deploy 50 gates for entry, a significant improvement over the previous event, where only 500 police personnel were assigned.
The Court also addressed concerns about the noise levels, which had been a point of contention in the PIL. Senior Advocate Akshay Bhan, representing the concert organizers, assured the Court that strict controls would be in place to ensure the sound level did not exceed 120 decibels, as advised by the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR). Bhan also emphasized that the concert would conclude before 10 PM, reducing the likelihood of prolonged disturbance.
Despite these assurances, the Court clarified that this event was an exception and expressed concerns about holding concerts in such a congested area. Chief Justice Nagu suggested that such events might be better suited for stadiums or locations outside the city to avoid recurring issues. “These events should be held outside Chandigarh,” he remarked, signalling that future concerts in Sector 34 might face stricter scrutiny.
The PIL also raised concerns about the potential for future disruptions, as another concert by artist AP Dhillon is scheduled for December 21 at the same venue. The Court noted that multiple large-scale events at the exact location within a short span could exacerbate the challenges related to crowd control, noise, and public safety.
The hearing concluded with a directive for a follow-up session on December 18 to review compliance with the noise and safety measures outlined by the Court. The Chandigarh Administration clarified that permissions for future events in Sector 34 would be carefully reconsidered, mainly if issues like traffic, crowd management, and emergency access needed to be adequately addressed. The outcome of this case could influence how future public events are handled in the city, with authorities under increased pressure to ensure that residents’ rights to a peaceful environment are upheld.