The Bombay High Court on Monday directed all municipal bodies in Maharashtra to remove illegal pandals that may come up on roads or footpaths during the forthcoming Navratri and Diwali festivals.
A division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and VL Achliya said, "No religion permits the celebration of festivals by breaching the law. We hope that no religion takes our orders as a restriction on celebration of festivals."
The court also asked the authorities to take action against noise pollution offenders. It also directed civic bodies to file separate affidavits by November 21, detailing what steps they had taken to remove illegal pandals and book the guilty for noise pollution.
The direction was given during a hearing of a bunch of PILs on the issue of illegal pandals that were set up across the state during Dahi Handi and Ganesh festivals with noise pollution rules allegedly flouted and inaction by the authorities.
After going through the affidavits filed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies, the bench observed that there was complete failure on part of the state to take action in terms of noise pollution rules in the just-concluded festivals.
The bench cautioned civic bodies and the state to be vigilant during the forthcoming festivals and ensure that court orders are implemented strictly in regard to removal of illegal pandals and violation of noise pollution rules. It asked civic bodies to ensure that the orders of high court are taken to its logical end by strictly enforcing rules regarding pandals and noise pollution.
