Pune police have registered 116 cases against mandals accused of breaching prescribed noise limits during Dahi Handi celebrations and seized six loudspeaker systems, including pressure mids and plasma sound equipment, after inspecting 1,100 mandals across the city and its suburbs.
The action followed an earlier warning that legal proceedings would be initiated against organisers using sound systems beyond permitted limits during the festival. Police teams used decibel-measuring devices while checking celebrations in different parts of Pune.
According to police, four pressure mids and four plasma sound units were found in use and seized. Six sound-amplification systems were seized in total. The police said the equipment was being used despite restrictions on pressure mids and plasma sound systems during Dahi Handi and Ganesh festival events.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar had directed mandals to use no more than four bass units and four top units in their sound systems during Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav. Most mandals complied with the instructions, while some did not use loudspeaker systems, police said.
The highest number of cases was registered against mandals in the central part of the city, identified by police as Zone One. A total of 55 cases were filed against mandals in that zone. The report did not provide a zone-wise breakdown for the remaining cases.
The inspections and enforcement action place the use of high-powered sound equipment under scrutiny during Pune’s public festivals. Police said the cases were filed after mandals were found to have exceeded prescribed noise limits or used prohibited equipment.
The police have not disclosed in the report the penalties or court schedules associated with the 116 cases. Further action will proceed through the legal process.
