Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samity Maharashtra, through its Chairman Versus State of Maharashtra & others.

In India, idol worship has been a practice since ancient times. On festive occasions, such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Pooja, etc., it has been a tradition to immerse idols in water bodies like rivers, lakes, ponds, well, etc. The consequent pollution of such water bodies has been a matter of concern. It is also a common knowledge that synthetic colours, chemicals are used in making the idols for worship and when these idols are immersed, aquatic and surrounding environment get affected. The Court considered that the prayers in the writ petition, in view of the guidelines for idol immersion, framed and published by the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests, stand satisfied. In formulating action plan/strategies for maintaining cleanliness and preserving the environment, these guidelines would be useful to prevent pollution of water bodies deriving from idol immersion.