Pune: Court Fines Ganesh Mandal President for Using Laser Lights During Immersion Procession
Sangvi, 3rd September 2026: A Pimpri court has fined the president of a Ganesh mandal ₹1,000 for using prohibited high-intensity beam and laser lights during a Ganesh idol immersion procession in Pimple Nilakh last year.
The court sentenced Bajrang Vinayak Lakde (34), president of Jai Bhavani Mitra Mandal, Wak Vasti, Pimple Nilakh, to imprisonment until the rising of the court. If he fails to pay the fine, he will have to undergo two days of simple imprisonment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandip Atole, Zone 1, said the incident occurred between 8.30 pm and 11.45 pm on September 5, 2025, during the mandal’s Ganesh immersion procession.
“The procession was taken out on public roads from Ganesh Nagar Chowk and Pimple Nilakh Chowk towards the main bus stop in Pimple Nilakh. During the procession, powerful beam and laser lights that could cause eye injuries were used in violation of the prohibitory order issued by the Pimpri-Chinchwad police commissioner,” DCP Atole said.
Before the 2025 Ganesh festival, police officers had held a meeting with presidents and members of Ganesh mandals in the Sangvi police station limits. The organisers were given oral and written instructions not to use powerful beam lights or laser lights during festival programmes and immersion processions.
The prohibitory order had been issued by the Pimpri-Chinchwad police commissioner under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Mandals were warned that legal action would be taken if they failed to comply with the directions.
Following the violation, Sangvi police registered a case against Lakde on September 6, 2025, under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police subsequently collected evidence and filed chargesheet number 159/2025 against him before the court of the First-Class Judicial Magistrate in Pimpri.
The court pronounced the sentence on September 3, 2026, imposing a fine of ₹1,000 and imprisonment until the rising of the court. It also ordered that Lakde undergo two days of simple imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
“Ganesh mandals must not use powerful beam lights, laser beam lights or any lighting equipment that could harm citizens’ eyes or health during the 2026 Ganesh festival and immersion processions,” DCP Atole said.
“Strict legal action will be taken without prior notice against mandals violating these directions. The lighting equipment concerned will also be seized, and the office-bearers and organisers of the mandal will be held personally responsible,” he added.
The action was taken under the guidance of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner of Police Shashikant Mahavarkar, Additional Commissioners of Police Sarang Awad and Basavaraj Teli, DCP Sandip Atole, and Sangvi Division Assistant Commissioner of Police Manisha Kadam.
The investigation and court proceedings were handled by Sangvi police station Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Koli, Police Sub-Inspector M. S. Bhalerao, Police Sub-Inspector Patil, Police Head Constable Sanglukhe, and Police Head Constable Kare.
