Loud music kills 140 chickens in UP, operator arrested

A wedding celebration in Sultanpur took a disturbing turn after 140 chickens at a nearby poultry farm reportedly died due to extremely loud music played during a procession, prompting police action and a wider crackdown on sound norm violations.

The incident occurred recently in Daryapur village, where a marriage procession passed close to a poultry farm owned by 25-year-old Mohammad Sabir. According to Sabir, the high-decibel music from a DJ system caused panic among the birds, leading to sudden deaths.

“I requested the DJ operator multiple times to reduce the volume, but he ignored me. When the chickens started dying, I had no option but to call the police control room,” Sabir was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Out of nearly 5,300 chickens at the farm, 140 died. Sabir estimated his losses at ₹25,700.

A veterinary team that later examined the birds concluded in the post-mortem report that the deaths were caused by heart failure, likely triggered by stress induced by loud noise.

Police from the Baldirai station seized the DJ vehicle and registered a case against the operator and the event manager for violating permissible sound limits. The accused, identified as Kavi Yadav, was arrested on charges of breach of peace and later released on bail.

The case has been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — including Section 270 (public nuisance) and Section 325 (mischief by killing or maiming animals) — along with relevant clauses of the Environment Protection Act 1986.

Following the incident, authorities have issued notices to 15 DJ operators and owners in the district, directing them to strictly adhere to prescribed decibel limits and avoid playing loud music beyond 10 pm.

Officials say the case serves as a warning amid rising complaints over noise pollution during wedding seasons, with stricter enforcement now likely across the district.