Archive · 7 Sep 2026
High-decibel Ganesh Processions Face Safety and Court Scrutiny
Ganesh Aagaman processions are being held in Hyderabad before Ganesh Chaturthi.
These celebrations can include bright lights, large structures and very loud speakers.
A 19-year-old student named S. Badrinath died after collapsing at one procession in Ramnagar.
Police suspect that he may have suffocated in the crowd.
His family believes that the loud music caused his death.
Doctors and researchers say very loud noise can raise stress, heart rate and blood pressure.
People with heart problems, children, older adults and people with hearing difficulties may be more affected.
Authorities have rules limiting when loudspeakers and other high-volume equipment can be used.
A 19-year-old student, S. Badrinath, collapsed and died during a Ganesh Aagaman procession in Ramnagar.
Police described the death as suspected asphyxiation, while Badrinath’s family blamed excessively loud music.
Ganesh Aagaman events increasingly feature large trusses, powerful lighting and high-volume DJ systems.
The World Health Organization links excessive noise with sleep problems, hearing impairment, cardiovascular risks and cognitive problems.
Hyderabad police and the Telangana High Court have restricted high-decibel equipment and limited sound-system use to specified hours.
- Who
- S. Badrinath, a 19-year-old second-year B.Tech student, died during the procession; police, his family and city authorities have commented on the incident.
- What
- A student collapsed and died during a Ganesh Aagaman procession, prompting renewed concern about high-volume music, crowd safety and noise-rule compliance.
- When
- The death occurred on Saturday night; Hyderabad police had issued a high-decibel equipment ban during Ganesh festivities in October 2024, and court directions were issued last year.
- Where
- The death occurred during a procession in Ramnagar, Hyderabad; related noise concerns have been reported across the city.
- Why
- Police suspect asphyxiation, while the family attributes the death to excessively loud music; the incident has renewed concerns about noise exposure and public safety.
Police and Medical Assessment
Family’s Attribution
Cause of the student’s death
Police and Medical Assessment
Police described the death as suspected asphyxiation after the student became separated from his friend in a large crowd where a band was playing and firecrackers were being burst.
Family’s Attribution
The family attributed the death to excessively loud music during the procession.
- Deceased
- S. Badrinath, a 19-year-old second-year B.Tech student
- Incident location
- Ramnagar, Hyderabad
- Police assessment
- Suspected asphyxiation
- Family’s view
- Excessively loud music contributed to the death
- WHO-linked health risks
- Sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, tinnitus, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and cognitive problems
- Police restriction
- Hyderabad police banned DJ systems, mixers, amplifiers, loudspeakers and other high-decibel equipment during Ganesh festivities in October 2024
- Permitted sound hours
- The Telangana High Court said sound systems at Ganesh pandals could operate only from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; public-address systems are also barred from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.