Lokayukta cops register FIR against hoarding mafia

Eight probe teamsdetect 1,500 illegal billboards in City

The Lokayukta police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the advertisement mafia in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. The eight teams formed by the police have already detected nearly 1,500 illegal hoardings in eight zones in the City.

Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi had ordered the Lokayukta police to investigate illegal advertisement hoardings in the BBMP limits, including missing of files pertaining to advertisement licence and tax collection. The assistant commissioner (advertisement) had submitted that only 1,745 out of more than 4,500 files on advertisement were available in the eight zones. The official also submitted that advertisement tax and penalty had not been collected in any zone since 2008.

The FIR has been registered for offences under sections 13 (1) (c) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. A senior police officer said that the investigating officer had issued notices to the BBMP officials concerned to furnish details about hoardings in public and private places in the City, besides the applications received for renewal of hoardings since 2008.

“The eight teams have been conducting mahazar of each and every advertisement hoardings in eight zones. They are following the procedures, including measurement of hoardings, videographing the mahazar in the presence of witnesses. We have prepared a detailed pro forma and sent it along with the notice. The BBMP has been asked to furnish information about the number of licenses issued, the number of illegal hoardings according to the BBMP, the number of hoardings in private places and public places,” the officer explained.

Although the FIR does not name any accused, it has been registered against the BBMP officials concerned, the Bescom officials, the advertisement agencies and the elected representatives. Investigation will also be conducted into the forged circular signed by the BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana. “The investigation will also cover missing files pertaining to advertisement and the circular which was forged to favour illegal hoardings. The mahazar process will go on since some of the areas are still to be covered,” the officer added.

The Upa Lokayukta had received four different complaints on illegal hoardings, flex boards and buntings. Upon enquiry, joint commissioners of eight BBMP zones—East, West, South, Yelahanka, Mahadevapura, Bommanahalli, Rajarajeshwarinagar and Dasarahalli—as well as the assistant commissioner (advertisement) admitted to the presence of illegal hoardings in the City. Police investigation was initiated as there was no response to a detailed report sent by the Upa Lokayukta.