High Court bans firecrackers, laser lights and music in festival processions in Maharashtra

The Bombay High Court on September 22 ordered a ban on firecrackers, laser lights, music, instruments and sound systems during processions at festivals across Maharashtra . It ordered deposits, permissions, decibel meters and undertakings for organisers. The order follows suo motu cognisance of noise pollution from processions on September 21. A Division Bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr Neela Gokhale listed the matter for compliance on October 15.

The court said organisers and Mandals must deposit ₹1 lakh as a condition for permission under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. For a person, the deposit is ₹50,000. If the decibel level is breached at the venue or in the procession, the deposit will be forfeited. Law will apply.