Bengaluru: On Friday, the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognisance of the ongoing issue of illegal hoardings in Bengaluru. A Bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind acted upon a news report indicating that the city’s municipal authorities recently removed over six lakh unauthorized advertisements and hoardings from various parts of the city.
The Court issued a stern warning to the Municipal Commissioner and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, threatening contempt proceedings if they fail to comply with orders to remove illegal hoardings. The Court further declared that it would impose a fine of ₹1 lakh for each instance of illegal hoarding discovered henceforth.
“This menace of illegal hoardings reflects the failure of municipal authorities and the police to enforce the Court’s orders. It is clear that there has been non-compliance,” the Court stated. “If this practice continues, the BBMP Commissioner and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner will have to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.”
In response to the counsel for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the city police, who argued that new illegal hoardings continue to appear despite their efforts, the Court insisted on the development of a continuous mechanism to tackle the problem.
“We do not have any prejudice, but we are compelled to issue notice. You need to establish a regular, continuous mechanism for the removal of illegal hoardings. Follow the Court’s orders with urgency, driving your efforts in the fifth gear rather than the first,” the Court admonished.