20 advertisers booked over illegal hoardings

The Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) has booked 20-odd advertisers for putting up more than 60 advertisements illegally.

Based on complaints by the assistant revenue officers at the ward level, first information reports (FIRs) were registered against advertisers across the city. BMTF sources said Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Special Commissioner (Welfare and Advertisement) V Rashmi had ordered an investigation into the illegal hoardings. Hence, the BMTF too is taking up the matter on a priority basis.

BMTF Superintendent of Police Devaraj said the task force had booked cases pertaining to illegal advertisements in public properties such as footpaths in various areas. “We have not looked into the cases of illegal hoardings on private properties,” he added. As the investigation progressed, the BMTF summoned the violators who claimed they had necessary permission from the authorities concerned to put up hoardings. Following the eight reports by BBMP Assistant Commissioner (Advertisements) K Mathai against illegal adverts, the Palike carried out an extensive drive to remove the hoardings, besides lodging complaints with the BMTF.

Mathai has stated in his reports that the Palike had incurred a loss of Rs 2,000 crore in the last seven years in terms of advertisement revenue. He has also named some officials who overlooked the mushrooming of hoardings in Bengaluru.