Bombay High Court Lifts Ban on PoP Ganpati idols, Restricts Immersion in Natural Water Bodies

The Bombay High Court has allowed artisans to manufacture Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganpati idols but banned their immersion in natural water bodies without prior court approval.

This modifies the court’s earlier January 2025 order that had completely prohibited PoP idol making under CPCB guidelines.

The court acknowledged that CPCB’s May 2025 advisory is non-binding and asked the Maharashtra government to frame its own policy on idol immersion within 3 weeks, considering environmental rules under Article 48A and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.

The matter will be heard next on June 30.