The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed multiple petitions on Friday on the setting up of mobile towers in various locations. The court ruled in favor of mobile towers noting that there is no evidence that connects mobile towers directly to the health of human population around. The two judge bench reached their verdict after referring to research studies and similar judgments in the past. The decision by Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Ali and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan was welcomed by Cellular Operator Association of India. The COAI feared removal of many mobile towers had the court ruled otherwise.
An excerpt from the 40 page ruling observed by the court says, It is evident from the aforesaid reports that the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) do not have any notable impact on the health of human beings. Evidently, the studies conducted till date by the two premier organizations i.e. WHO and SCENIHR go to indicate that despite a large number of studies being carried out in the last two decades to assess the potential health risk on account of emission of EMF, no major adverse health effect has been noticed. Delivering the judgment, the Himachal Pradesh High Court referred to previous rulings by other High Courts, as well as findings by different committees that were constituted to look into the issue of radiation.
COAI has been talking about the myths created around mobile tower emissions and has always stood by the safety standards adopted in India, which are ten times more stringent than international norms observed even by developed countries like the US and the UK. Rajan Mathews, Director General COAI, welcomed the judgment saying, we believe that this landmark order will debunk several myths propagated by certain groups.
This judgment by the honorable high court of Himachal Pradesh is sure to dismiss several similar cases pending in lower courts around the country. It will also help COAI tackle other immediate issues like the call drop menace highlighted by TRAI, India.
