What have you done to remove illegal flex boards? HC asks govt, BBMP

The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday ordered the BBMP and the state government to stipulate what action they had taken against illegal flex boards and banners under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981.  

A division bench of acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar pulled up the civic body for its failure to check illegal flex boards and banners put up for birthday wishes or during politicians' visits to Bengaluru.

The bench was hearing  a public interest litigation filed by Mayige Gowda, a resident of Saraswathipuram, who urged the court to order the government to implement the act by framing rules and regulations. The petitioner stated that though the law was enacted over 30 years ago,  there are over 23,000 unauthorised hoardings, flex banners and large advertisement boards on the city's pavements, endangering walkers.  He said neither  the BBMP nor the police had taken any action to remove them.

The court will hear the matter again on  February 17.