Karnataka High Court Directs Full & Serious Implementation Of Govt. Order Prohibiting Immersion & Discharge Of PoP Idols

The Karnataka High Court has directed for strict implementation of government order which prohibits immersion and discharge of POP coloured idols/ structures in water bodies, to prevent pollution.

The Court was considering a Writ Petition seeking direction to Government to implement the Government order that prohibits the manufacture, sale and immersion of POP structures

The division bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi observed, "We do not consider it apposite to pass any order in this petition as the Government order has already been passed and the same requires to be implemented. Indisputably, the issue raised is a serious one and we expect that the State Authority shall implement the notification with all seriousness and to its full extent."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Sri Mahesh A. Chowdhary while the Respondent was represented by Additional Government Advocate Niloufer Akbar.

Counsel for the Petitioner stated that there is a serious issue regarding disposal of idols made of Plaster of Paris [POP], in water bodies and that immersion of such idols, which are painted with hazardous oil based paints, contain toxic heavy metals, which result in irreversible pollution of water bodies. He contended that the same violates Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

It was further contended that in inspection, it was uncovered that some manufacturers are carrying out activities in defiance of order issued under Section 33(A) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

He thus sought implementation of the said government order with direction to the district administration, local bodies and police department to co-operate for the enforcement of the said order.

Cause Title: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Parisar Bhavan vs. State of Karnataka

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