Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: North Goa Police have registered three separate cases under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, in connection with the sale, transport, and unauthorized handling of Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesh idols, which are banned in Goa due to their harmful ecological impact.
At Colvale Police Station, FIR No. 55/2025 was filed on August 26 based on a complaint by Dy. Collector & SDM Mapusa, Varsha Parab, against Vasudev Chari of Sirsaim, Bardez. He was found displaying and stocking POP idols for sale in violation of a 1988 government notification.
At Mandrem Police Station, FIR No. 84/2025 was registered the same day on the complaint of Dy. Collector & SDM Pernem, Shivprasad Naik, after unknown accused persons allegedly removed POP idols from a shop that had been sealed for environmental violations, thereby disobeying government orders.
The third case, Crime No. 40/2025 at Mopa Airport Police Station, was registered on July 31 against Shripad Patil of Kolhapur, who was detained at Patradevi check post for transporting five POP idols in a Maharashtra-registered vehicle. The idols and the vehicle were seized under panchanama.
Police said investigations are underway in all three cases and reiterated that strict action will continue against those dealing in POP idols, stressing that the ban is aimed at protecting Goa’s environment.
