The Kerala High Court on Wednesday slammed the state for its inaction in the case of illegally installed boards and banners in public locations around the state.
“If Local Self Governments are unable to follow directions, please step down. Don’t provoke this court,” Justice Devan Ramachandran remarked.
The Court claimed that the Local Self Governments were complying with the Court’s orders by issuing circulars, but lacked the ‘guts or political will’ to really implement them. This is now the bane of our state,” the Court observed.
“The Court’s directions cannot be violated, especially after they have issued orders, circulars, and proceedings in compliance. This Court has already nominated and constituted committees to remove illegal installations, and if they fail to do so, action, including contempt or constitutional violations, will have to be taken. This court issues notice on all such authorities that continued disregard for directives will subject them to stringent action under every warrant of law,” the court stated in its judgement.
The bench further asked the authorities not to misinterpret the Court’s magnanimity as its weakness.
“This court will only act now, not speak. I’m going to start issuing contempt orders. Secretaries and District Collectors will be required to stand in this courtroom,” Justice Ramachandran said.
“What are the committees formed for this purpose up to? Have you taken any action against the agencies in charge of printing the boards?” the Court inquired of Government pleader Advocate Shyam Prasad.
According to Amicus Curiae Adv. Harish Vasudevan, the city of Trivandrum is flooded with flex boards, with “every 100 metres containing government owned flex boards.
The Court ordered the Amicus Curiae to file a report detailing violations throughout the state by the next listed date.
The matter is listed for further consideration on June 14, 2023.
