14 October,2010 09:27 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Ganesh mandals booked for violation of norms on sponsored arches say they will approach high court against police restrictions
Legal action has been taken against 16 Ganesh mandals for putting up arches on Tilak Road and Laxmi Road during Ganeshotsav. Booked under Section 188 of the IPC that deals with violation of permission norms, representatives of these mandals were produced before a local court for the law to take its due course.
Speaking on behalf of all affected mandals, Dheeraj Ghate, president of Sane Guruji Tarun Mandal, said they would be approaching the high court for justice.
In the local court, Ghate strongly objected to the singling out of Ganesh mandals on the issue of arches, saying sponsored arches could be seen during Congress leader and city MP Suresh Kalmadi's marathon but action was being taken only against Ganesh mandals.
"Welcome arches for the President were also seen on Tilak Road," said Ghate. "Who gave them the permission?"
Ghate, who spoke for all the affected mandals, said it was the first time in the 72-year history of the mandal such a thing had happened.
"Arches are for earning revenue for the mandal. Why have we been deprived of this legal right to earn money? We plan the advertisements on the arches two months prior to the festival and make agreements with the advertising companies," said Ghate. "How can it be possible to change the site of the arches when the police declare their stand a day before the festival begins."
Balasaheb Murkute, president, Shivaji Mitra Mandal, said it was irrational to restrict the number of arches to only two, as desired by the police.
"They should look to the tradition of each mandal and then finalise the number of arches allowed," said Murkute.
Deepak Pote, president Navnath Tarun Mandal, said there was no limit on the number of arches for Kalmadi's marathon or the welcoming arches put up by the State Bank to welcome the President.
"We are singled out and victimised by the police and PMC," said Pote.
