Cuttack: The Orissa high court has directed the Jagatsinghpur district administration to frame guidelines for regulating the use of DJ and other sound systems at public functions, including religious and social events.Justice R K Pattanaik issued the direction while disposing of a petition filed by Jagannath Tent Light & Sound Owner Association challenging the collector’s restriction on DJ use during marriage processions, Ganesh Puja and immersion.The court, however, in its Sept 16 order, did not set aside the collector’s order prohibiting DJ use during Ganesh Puja and immersion in the district.Appearing for the petitioner, advocate G Mohanty submitted that the collector had imposed a similar restriction earlier on the use of DJ systems during marriage processions. He referred to a high court order of Oct 3, 2024, in which the court had directed the district administration to frame appropriate guidelines for the use of sound systems and other instruments.“Similar conditions have been imposed and the recent one is dated 15th September, 2026,” Mohanty submitted, arguing that an absolute ban on DJ systems during such events could not be justified.He also told the court that despite the 2024 direction, the district administration had not yet framed the promised guidelines.Additional govt advocate Sarbeswar Behera, appearing for the state, defended the collector’s decision, submitting that the restriction had been imposed to prevent public nuisance and health hazards. He argued that the collector was empowered to impose such conditions under the law.The court perused the collector’s order, which stated that the restriction had been imposed by exercising powers under Section 4 of the Odisha Fire Works and Loud Speakers (Regulation) Act, 1958.Justice Pattanaik observed that the earlier direction to formulate guidelines had to be complied with. Without interfering with the Sept 15 order, the court directed the collector to “immediately formulate the guidelines for future compliance”.The collector has been directed to provide the petitioner association an opportunity of hearing before finalising the guidelines and issue them “at the earliest within a period of six weeks” from receipt of the court order.