Pune, 26 November 2025: Pune police have issued notices to more than 200 Ganesh mandals for violating the Supreme Court’s noise-control rules during this year’s Ganesh immersion procession. The action began after officials received detailed reports on noise pollution recorded during the visarjan.
Police have directed mandal office-bearers to appear before their respective divisional Deputy Commissioner of Police offices. They must submit written statements, permission letters, details of sound-system providers, and copies of immersion procession permits.
The notice mentions that if representatives fail to appear, it will be presumed that the mandal has nothing to say, and a case will be filed directly under the Maharashtra Police Act and the Environment Protection Act.
This year’s immersion procession on September 7 in Pune continued for a record duration. Despite repeated appeals from Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to avoid high-powered sound systems and intense light beams, most mandals used loudspeakers and lighting far above the permitted limits.
According to the Environment Protection Act, violating noise regulations can lead to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of ₹1 lakh. The notice also states that mandals must explain within seven days why legal action should not be taken for breaching the Supreme Court’s noise-control rules.
