HC bans immersion of PoP Ganesha idols in natural waters bodies

The Bombay High Court on Monday modified its January 2025 order that had imposed a blanket ban on the manufacture and sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.

- Karuna Nidhi

MUMBAI: While the court has now allowed the manufacturing and sale of PoP idols to resume, it made it clear that such idols cannot be immersed in natural water bodies.

A division bench of chief justice Alok Aradhe and justice Sandeep Marne was hearing a public interest litigation filed in view of the upcoming Ganesh festival, seeking enforcement of the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) revised guidelines that prohibit the manufacture of PoP idols.