132 FIRs filed against Dahi Handi mandals for noise norms violation in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad

Pune: The Pune city and Pimpri-Chinchwad police have filed 132 FIRs against Dahi Handi mandals for exceeding permissible decibel levels on loudspeakers during celebrations this weekend. As many as 116 FIRs were filed in Pune after readings were recorded at 1,100 celebration spots over the weekend. Sixteen FIRs were filed against the organisers in Pimpri Chinchwad after data compilation. Deputy commissioner of police (Special Branch) Prashant Amrutkar said, 'We have seized four plasma and pressure-mid sound system units, besides six other sound systems used by mandals. We have banned the use of plasma speakers and pressure-mids. Yet, some mandals used them.' He said, 'Police stations have registered the maximum number of cases (55 cases) from old city areas, followed by areas along the Pune-Solapur Highway and Hadapsar-Saswad Highway (27 cases). A total of 24 cases were registered by police stations along the Satara road.' Police had strictly ordered mandals to use four top speakers and four bass systems. All erring mandals with cases filed against used more speakers. 'We have registered cases against Dahi Handi mandals that violated the 65-decibel sound limit by using loudspeakers,' Amrutkar said. In Pimpri Chinchwad, action was taken against 16 mandals and sound-system operators for playing music beyond permissible limits during Dahi Handi celebrations on Sept 5. Police have seized music systems, loudspeakers, amplifiers and mixers. The Bavdhan police took action against three mandals in Mhalunge, Lavale and Bhugaon. Nigdi police acted against four, while Pimpri, Sant Tukaramnagar, Dapodi, Hinjewadi, Bhosari, Dighi, Kalewadi, Chakan South and Wakad police took action against one Dahi Handi mandal each. Illegal Lavani show in Bibvewadi In Bibvewadi, a case was registered against a Dahi Handi mandal for illegally organising a Lavani performance by a well-known performer on Sunday night. The Bibvewadi police thwarted the performance and dismantled the sound system. Senior inspector Ashwini Satpute of the Bibvewadi police said, 'According to the new rules, organisers of any Lavani performance have to take permission from the Censor Board. The Dahi Handi mandal organised the Lavani performance without the board's permission. We had declined permission to the mandal.' Sangvi woman death case: Two held A mandap decorator and a sound-system supplier were arrested on Sunday in connection with the death of a 45-year-old woman on Sept 4 night. She died in Old Sangvi after iron racks used to install lights and speakers fell on her following Dahi Handi celebrations. The Sangvi police also registered a case against the president of the Dahi Handi mandal. Initially, an accidental death report was registered because the woman's family was unwilling to file a complaint. Police on Sunday registered a case against the trio suo motu and arrested two of them. Assistant police inspector Rajesh Malegave is investigating the case. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news. Download the TOI App.