Pune: Sahakarnagar police in Pune have registered cases against two prominent Ganesh mandals from the Balajinagar area for causing noise pollution by using high-capacity loudspeakers during the Ganesh immersion processions.

The two mandals, Akhil Gurudutt Tarun Mitra Mandal and Shivtirth Mandal, have been accused of violating noise regulations despite prior warnings from the authorities.

The cases were registered after both mandals conducted processions on September 17th, during which they used loudspeakers without the necessary permissions. This caused noise levels to exceed the prescribed limits, disturbing local residents.

The action came following orders from Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, who had earlier issued strict guidelines to prevent noise pollution during the Ganesh festivities.

The police have named the presidents of both mandals and their sound system providers in the complaints. The violations have been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, along with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. The complaints were lodged by police officer Bablu Bhise at the Sahakarnagar police station.

When the police tried to serve notices to the office bearers of the mandals, they refused to accept them, prompting further legal action. Police officers D.V. Dhotre and H.C. Raut are now handling the investigation.

Similar violations were observed in other parts of the city, with several mandals on Laxmi Road, Tilak Road, Kelkar Road, and Kumthekar Road using high-capacity loudspeakers and laser lights, despite a ban on such equipment.