K’taka HC Takes Action Against Illegal Hoardings Menace

The Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognizance of the “menace” of illegal hoardings in Bengaluru.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind noted a news report indicating that the city’s municipal authorities recently had to remove over six lakh unauthorised advertisements and hoardings from across the city.

The bench warned the Municipal Commissioner and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner that it would initiate contempt proceedings against them if its orders on removing such hoardings were not complied with. It also stated that henceforth, it would impose a fine of ₹1 lakh each time it encountered a case of illegal hoarding in the city.

When counsel for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the city police reported that, despite their efforts, new illegal hoardings continued to appear, the Court responded that the authorities must implement a continuous mechanism to address the issue.

“We don’t have any prejudice, but we are compelled to issue notice. You will have to develop a regular, continuous mechanism for the removal of illegal hoardings. You must drive your vehicle in the fifth gear instead of the first gear to follow the Court’s orders,” the bench stated.

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