The Karnataka High Court on Monday sought responses from transport authorities and the Indian Railways on a plea seeking regulation for prohibiting playing music or videos loudly on mobile phones or other gadgets in public transport buses and trains.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice H.T. Narendra Prasad ordered issue of notices to the State and railway authorities on a PIL petition filed by 37-year-old Ramesh Naik L., a Tumakuru-based advocate.

Pointing out that many passengers, who are not bothered about co-passengers and the environment, cause nuisance and disturb other passengers by playing music and videos loudly while travelling in buses and trains, the petitioner contended that what is pleasant to some ears may be extremely unpleasant to others, depending upon a number of psychological factors.

The petitioner said that the nuisance of playing music loudly could be tackled in public transport in the manner in which ticketless travellers and those sitting on seats reserved for ladies and senior citizens are, by displaying warnings and penalising violators through authorised persons.

The State authorities are duty-bound to protect the right to life of every citizen under Article 21 of the Constitution by ensuring peaceful travel in public transport, the petitioner argued.