Thane Creek Pollution Row: Activist Rohit Joshi Issues Contempt Notice Over Alleged Violation Of HC Idol Immersion Orders
Thane: In a major legal move against administrative negligence, environmental activist Rohit Manohar Joshi—the primary petitioner in Public Interest Litigation No. 96/2024—has served a contempt notice to state authorities and civic bodies through his legal counsel, Adv. Ronita Bhattacharya Bector. The notice addresses the Thane, Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporations,…
Environmental activist Rohit Joshi has issued a contempt notice to municipal corporations, civic bodies, the Environment Department, and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for violating Bombay High Court orders on idol immersions during the Gauri-Ganpati festival. The court mandates that Plaster of Paris idols up to 6 feet must be immersed exclusively in artificial ponds, while larger idols can be immersed in natural water bodies with a 24-hour cleanup assurance.
However, thousands of small, household idols were reportedly dumped directly into Thane Creek, posing an ecological threat to the creek's Ramsar site status, biodiversity, and migratory flamingo habitats. The notice demands the immediate removal of all remnants from the creek within 24 hours, cessation of immersion of sub-6-foot idols into natural waters, and penalties for responsible officers. Failure to comply may lead to a formal contempt petition in the Bombay High Court.
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