HC puts onus on political parties to curtail illegal hoarding and banners

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice B Pugalendi made the observation on Tuesday while hearing a contempt of court plea moved by social activist Traffic K Ramaswamy. He had sought action against authorities who failed to prevent erection of unauthorised banners ignoring the guidelines issued by the High Court. The bench presently sitting at Madurai heard the plea through videoconferencing.

Expressing utter dissatisfaction over the inaction of the police and Corporation in checking illegal banners, the bench said recently the AIADMK men had placed around 70 banners in the middle of the road in Koyambedu posing a great hindrance to the travelling public.

Further, pointing out that owing to inaction by the authorities, supporters of political parties were able to install banners and hoardings wherever they want unmindful of the inconvenience caused to the public, the bench said under such circumstances it is for the leaders of the political parties to wean their supporters away from such banner culture by initiating strict action against them.

Also, wondering as to what is achieved by removing such illegal banners after the event is over, the bench sought to know as to what prompted the Corporation authorities and police to turn a blind eye to such illegalities transpiring right under their nose.

Noting that the present increase in instances of police being subjected to attack by public is a reflection of the poor law and order situation in the State, the bench also held that public have already lost trust in the police and is bound to have adverse impact on the society.

However, following the Additional Advocate General seeking time to evolve precautionary measures to stall such illegal installation of banners and hoardings, the bench while granting time said this is the last extension for the State to come out with concrete measures preventing the installation of such illegal banners at the first place and not merely remove them after its installation.

The bench them posted the case for further hearing to September 13.