SC Allows PoP Ganesh Idols Immersion In Hussain Sagar

The Supreme Court today gave its nod for the immersion of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris in the Hussain Sagar.

The court however put riders stating that the permission was for only this year, and not thereon.

It also said that the High Court would have jurisdiction on the rest of the issues related to the Ganesh immersion.

Earlier, Attorney General Tushar Mehta had argued in the court that the Telangana government was seeking permission to immerse PoP idols in the lake only for this year, as arrangements had already been made with big cranes moved to the area.

The government had arranged 22 special ponds for immersions but big idols could not be immersed in them, he said.

Since there was no way of making any alternative arrangements for large POP idols now, the SC needed to offer permission, he pleaded.

He informed the court that the debris and any other waste after immersion would be removed immediately.

While the bench ruled in favour of the state government, it also expressed its displeasure with the state government not complying with multiple orders of the High Court prohibiting immersion of idols in the lake.

"Crores of funds are spent for beautification works, and such programs will undo the efforts," CJI N V Ramana observed.

The state government had moved the Supreme Court challenging the High Court orders banning the immersion of PoP idols in the Hussain Sagar and other lakes.