The Telangana High Court has directed police authorities to submit compliance reports on the implementation of its guidelines for Ganesh idol installations and public celebrations, after taking note of loud DJ systems operating on roads during night-time immersion processions. The court’s direction comes ahead of the scheduled September 25 immersion and covers Hyderabad, Secunderabad, adjoining areas and the rest of Telangana.
Justice N V Shravan Kumar issued the direction while hearing a contempt case filed by residents of Nirmal district, who alleged that the court’s earlier directions were not being implemented by the authorities. The court was informed that its previous directions, issued in connection with last year’s Ganesh celebrations, would continue to apply during the current year and across the State.
The Government Pleader for Home told the court that police had held peace meetings with Ganesh Mandal organisers, Ganesh Utsava Committee members and Majeed Committee members on September 13 and 16. The organisers were instructed to comply strictly with the court’s directions governing the installation of idols and the conduct of festivities in public places.
The police also informed the court that preventive measures had been taken against owners and operators of DJ sound systems. Several criminal cases had been registered against people accused of violating the court’s directions, while police personnel were maintaining vigilance during the celebrations to protect public order, communal harmony, traffic movement and public passage.
Noise from sound systems used during night-time idol transportation was a particular concern for the court. Justice Shravan Kumar observed that the disturbance was affecting members of the public, especially elderly people and those suffering from ailments. The court prima facie found that noise pollution appeared to be continuing and that organisers were not complying with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
The proceedings also recorded preventive action taken by the Nirmal district police. Authorities informed the court that 57 people associated with DJ sound systems had been bound over across various police stations in the district. Cases had also been registered against people found violating the directions.
The court’s intervention places the management of religious processions within a wider urban governance framework. The directions cover not only noise control but also the ability of residents and emergency services to use public roads, the maintenance of traffic movement and the preservation of communal harmony during a period of heavy public activity.
For Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the immediate administrative task is to document how the court’s directions are being enforced before the immersion. The report is expected to address compliance during the current year, including action taken against violations and arrangements for the movement of processions and the protection of public passage.
The court directed the authorities to submit a report concerning Hyderabad, Secunderabad and adjoining areas by Thursday. Nirmal district authorities were ordered to file a counter-affidavit along with the instructions received by the Government Pleader. The matter has been posted to September 24 for consideration of the preliminary and compliance reports.
