Illegal banners: Violators threatened with summons

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice P Rajamanickam hearing a plea moved by social activist Traffic K R Ramaswamy, said “Despite several court orders and statutory rules, erection of unauthorised digital banners by political parties are continuing. Authorities, namely district collectors, Chennai Corporation Commissioner and police have turned a blind eye to such rampant illegality.”

“The court also notes with pain that the executive authorities who have to implement and adhere to the law at times becomes subservient to political parties and not take action either out of fear or otherwise,” the bench added.

The petitioner had contended that following his fight against installation of digital banners on the platforms since 2007 and directions from the High Court, the government had come up with certain amendments in the Tamil Nadu City Municipal Corporation Act in 2011, which was also incorporated by all Corporations throughout the State. But none of the provisions in the Act are either followed nor enforced resulting in rampant violation of the rules.

Also, citing the various violations during the recent MGR centenary celebrations wherein the rules were flouted to the core, the petitioner said the provisions insist on criminal action against offenders, but the officials are unbothered, and the rules merely exist on paper.

Under such willful defiance, he sought the court to impose a blanket ban on the installation of banners.

However, the bench on referring to the MGR centenary celebrations, said “This court takes judicial notice of the fact that right on the footpath of many main roads, particularly Kamarajar Salai, as it is the route taken by VIPs and ministers most of the times the banners project on the road causing hardship to road users.” “This court also brings to the notice of authorities concerned that if it comes across such violation it may not hesitate to deal with said issue with iron hands by summoning the printer, sponsor, as well as the people whose picture appear on such banners,” the bench noted and posted the case for further hearing to December 5.