JOIN USThe BBMP will soon lodge criminal complaints against politicians for putting up illegal hoardings during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the City.
The Palike has given an undertaking before the Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi in this regard.
This decision was taken as several hoardings didn't have the name of the publisher or the sponsorer, but only the photographs of the politicians who welcomed the prime minister.
The list of politicians include Union Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, former chief ministers B S Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, BJP leaders R Ashoka Suresh Kumar, P C Mohan, Aravind Limbavali and Raghu. The complaints are pertaining to 23 alleged illegal hoardings put up at Command Hospital Road, ASC Centre and Domlur area on Old Airport Road under Ulsoor Police Station limits.
The assistant commissioner for advertisement (BBMP) had submitted that he has given instructions to the revenue officers and assistant revenue officers of the respective divisions to file criminal complaints with the jurisdictional police stations.
On Wednesday, BBMP officials stated that some of the police stations were reluctant to register complaints on frivolous grounds while a few other refused to register the complaints against the persons whose names were mentioned in the complaint.
Justice Adi has directed the Police Commissioner M N Reddi to instruct police stations to accept the complaints.
“They (politicians) are the servants of the public. Law does not discriminate on the basis of political influence. Law required to be enforced more effectively against everyone, more so, against leaders, as they set themselves as leaders.
The Upa Lokayukta has directed assistant commissioner for advertisement (BBMP) to submit the action taken report by October 10. A complaint was filed with the Upa Lokayukta on the day of prime minister’s visit to the city, stating the number of hoardings and buntings put up in the City exceeded the prescribed limit.