The assembly of more than five persons and processions will not be allowed in Mumbai during the entire period of Ganesh Utsav.

The Mumbai Police today issued prohibitory orders under section 144 across the state capital, saying that mukhdarshan (watching ganpati from distance), or in-person visit, to Ganesh pandals will be banned.

The orders will apply from September 10 to September 19, in the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Police Commissionerate.

The action will be taken under Section 188 of IPC against all those who are seen flouting the rules, the order has said. It has been signed by DCP S Chaitanya.

This order has been passed just a day after the Maharashtra government modified its order, thereby disallowing mukhdarshan of Ganpati during the Ganesh festival across the State. The order was modified due to the threat of the impending third wave.

People can have `darshan' of Ganesh idols installed in pandals through the online mode or through other electronic media (such as TV), a police release said.

It said any person violating the orders would face action under IPC section 188 (disobeying order lawfully promulgated by public servant) and other relevant laws.