The PIL had also raised concerns over the use of laser beams. To this, the bench maintained there was no specific legislation or regulation governing such laser lights. The court said the petitioner was at liberty to submit a detailed representation to the appropriate authority of the Maharashtra government, requesting immediate measures to regulate the use of light laser beams in public spaces, gatherings, and events.

The HC added that the petition could bring to the notice of police authorities the applicability of Section 125 or any other relevant provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The PIL relied on a report published by the College of Engineering, Pune, which analysed noise pollution levels during the 2023 Ganesh festival and found that the levels in the western Maharashtra city had reached hazardous levels.

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The prescribed norms for residential areas are 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. However, during the last Ganesh festival, the average noise pollution level  in residential areas of Pune city from 4 am until midnight was approximately 101.3 decibels, said the PIL, quoting the report.

55 dB
Prescribed daytime sound limit for residential areas

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