HC: Contempt case filed against Telangana govt over immersion of PoP Ganesh idols in Hussain Sagar

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday asked the State government to respond to a contempt case, which alleged that the government violated court orders prohibiting immersion of PoP Ganesh idols in Hussain Sagar.

The plea, filed by social activist and advocate Mamidi Venu Madhav, sought directions to hold all those officers concerned accountable for violating the September 9, 2021, order to not immerse Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols since they create pollution and damage the lake.

According to the petition, in a meeting on August 28, attended by ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Sreedhar Babu, the mayor, all CPs, DGP and officials from the revenue department and MAUD, it was decided that 33 cranes will be installed around the lake for the immersion of Ganesh Idols made of PoP.

This is a blatant violation of the high court orders, the petition said.

Additional AG Imran Khan sought a week to file a response by the State Government on this issue. Petitioner Mamidi Venu Madhav opposed the contention of the Addl. AG, stating that every year, the State government counsels are 'seeking time and blatantly violating the orders of the high court.'

However, chief justice Alok Aradhe disagreed with the contention of the petitioner, stating that 'the petitioner approached the court with this issue in the 11th hour to bring pressure on the court which amounts to blackmailing.'

Further, the Chief Justice Bench adjourned the contempt case to September 9 directing the State government to file its response by that time. As an order exists on this issue an appropriate order will be passed, CJ Alok Aradhe said.

With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is making extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe festival. The ten-day festival, starting on September 7 and concluding on September 17, will see thousands of devotees participating in the festivities across the city.