Mumbai police bans photography during Durga idol immersions

Mumbai: Mumbai police today issued a notice banning photography and publishing pictures of Durga idols during immersion that will take place from October 22-24. The scope of ban also implies on idols half-submerged or lying at the shores or while being taken by BMC workers for re-immersion on the three days.

The decision has taken keeping in mind that pictures or videos of idol immersion may hurt the religious sentiments, which may result into disturbance of public peace and tranquillity, according to a statement issued by Mumbai police here today. City police in this connection has invoked section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Act no II of 1973).

"I am empowered under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Act no II of 1973) in exercises of the said powers do hereby order that no person shall take photographs of idols floating or half-submerged after immersion is over and shall not publish or circulate same," Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjay Barkund was quoted as saying in the statement.

The order would be effective from October 22 to 24, it said, adding, if anyone is found to be not abiding by it would face investigation or legal proceedings, penalty or forfeiture or punishment. Earlier, on July 30 this year, Mumbai police had put ban on photography and videography during the funeral of 1993 serial blasts convict Yakub Memon, who was hanged to death in Nagpur Central jail before being buried in a graveyard in South Mumbai.