India, July 10 -- The Mumbai police on Wednesday filed a reply in the Bombay High Court detailing the procedure followed by them in imposing fines and terminating loudspeaker licences of five mosques in Vikhroli since April. These mosques had approached the court, alleging that the police had acted in an arbitrary manner, without following due process.

While issuing notice to the police, the court had asked whether, before imposing penalties and removing loudspeakers, they had measured the volume emanating from the mosque loudspeakers, asked the mosques to lower the volume, and whether they had complied. The court had also asked whether, after notices had been sent to the mosques, they had been given a chance to comply.

The reply filed ...