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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Proud moment for Shivaji University researchers

Indian patent for portable sound absorption testing device Kolhapur: Researchers from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, have developed a portable sound absorption testing device that can scientifically assess whether an installed sound system and its acoustic treatment are functioning effectively. The innovation has been granted an Indian patent, marking a first-of-its-kind development in this field, the university said on Thursday. The patented device, named the Portable Sound Absorption Tester,...

Proud moment for Shivaji University researchers

Indian patent for portable sound absorption testing device Kolhapur: Researchers from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, have developed a portable sound absorption testing device that can scientifically assess whether an installed sound system and its acoustic treatment are functioning effectively. The innovation has been granted an Indian patent, marking a first-of-its-kind development in this field, the university said on Thursday. The patented device, named the Portable Sound Absorption Tester, has been developed by senior chemist Dr Kalyanrao Garadkar of Shivaji University, along with Dr Sandeep Sable and Dr Rohant Dhabbe of Jaysingpur College, and Dr Chandrala Jatkar of the D K T E Society’s Textile and Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji. The device is designed to test the sound absorption capacity of professional acoustic systems used in recording studios, theatres, auditoriums and soundproof chambers. Until now, the effectiveness of such sound-absorbing installations has largely been assessed through experience and trial-and-error after installation. The newly developed portable tester allows for immediate and scientific evaluation of sound absorption performance once the system is installed. Sound-absorbing sheets and panels are widely used in theatres, studios and vocal recording rooms to absorb echo around microphones and create a controlled acoustic environment, enabling cleaner and more professional audio output. The new device can be used to evaluate a wide range of absorbers, including perforated foam, fibre, fabric, membranes, panels and resonant absorbers, helping improve the quality and effectiveness of acoustic materials. Explaining the working of the device, Dr Garadkar said that the human audible frequency range extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The device generates sound waves within this spectrum and projects them onto the acoustic material under test. The sound waves that are not absorbed are detected by a microphone and displayed on the screen in the form of current or voltage readings. This enables users to instantly determine whether the sound absorption system is functioning as intended and make corrective interventions if required. The researchers said the device would also be useful for those engaged in acoustic fabrication and sound absorption research. Apart from being portable and easy to transport, the device is also cost-effective, making it suitable for field applications. The team expressed confidence that it would prove highly useful in the sound system testing sector. Shivaji University’s in-charge Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi and in-charge Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Jyoti Jadhav congratulated the research team on securing the patent.

Kunal Kamra moves HC against Sahyog portal 

Mumbai: Stand-up comic Kunal Kamra and Senior Advocate Haresh Jagtiani have challenged the validity of the government’s Sahyog portal – an online mechanism used that issues content takedown directions to digital platforms – in the Bombay High Court.

 

The portal gives content withdrawal directives to platforms like X, YouTube, Meta, etc, and Kamra-Jagtiani have raised serious constitutional questions centering on freedom of speech, due process and the scope of government powers over online content.

 

The petitioners have also questioned the Information Technology (Intermediary) Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rule 3 (1)(d) Amendment Rules, 2023, under which Sahyog was established.

 

Under the amended rule, intermediaries are required to take-down or disable access to information used to commit an ‘unlawful act’ within 36 hours of receiving actual knowledge of such content.

 

The rule further mandates that takedown directions must clearly specify the legal basis for the action, the nature of the alleged unlawful act, the relevant statutory position and the precise online location of the content.

 

The Sahyog portal was developed as a dedicated cyber platform that automated this process and facilitated the quick removal of unlawful online information, data or

communication links.

 

Control on Internet content

The petition by Kamra-Jagtiani, filed through advocate Meenaz Kakalia, claims that the portal enables the government to unilaterally block/takedown online content without complying with mandatory legal safeguards.

 

They include: issuing prior notice to the content originator and giving the affected party an opportunity to be heard. They pointed out that such procedural safeguards have been repeatedly emphasised by the Supreme Court as essential to uphold the constitutional validity of the content-blocking provisions.

 

The duo argued that the absence of these safeguards renders both Rule 3(1)(d) and the Sahyog portal ultra-vires the IT Act, 2000.

 

“Given the conspicuous absence of such safeguards, Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules and the Sahyog Portal are rendered ultra vires the IT Act and contrary to categorical judgments of the Supreme Court and this High Court,” the plea by Kamra-Jagtiani said.

 

Rules arbitrary

Kamra contended that the impugned rule and portal expose all online information to arbitrary takedowns, provide no remedy against such actions, and effectively vest unbridled power in many government officers at the Centre and States, and it strikes at the heart of democracy and peoples’ right to access information.

 

Claiming that these provisions are ex-facie unconstitutional as it allows blocking or takedown of all Internet content on vague and broad grounds such as information being “unlawful” or in violation of any law administered by the Centre or States.

 

These powers amount to ‘an unreasonable restriction on freedom of speech and expression’, exceeding the narrowly defined limits under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, they argued.

 

In their plea, the petitioners contended that orders for blocking/ disabling access to online information can only be issued under the IT Act, Sec. 69A, read with the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.

 

Previous challenge in Karnataka, appeal pending

Incidentally, last year the micro-blogging site X had challenged the Sahyog portal in the Karnataka High Court, on similar lines. 


In Sep. 2025, Justice M. Nagaprasanna upheld the portal’s validity. Currently, an appeal against the order is pending before the Karnataka HC division bench.

 


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