The High Court of Karnataka on Friday took the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to task for its failure to act against illegal flex boards in the City.
“Whether it is politicians or cinemas, you should fine them for displaying those unauthorised hoardings,” the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen said, while seeking to know the reason for Palike’s inaction.
When the BBMP counsel K N Puttegowda submitted that the Palike had been acting against the violators, the Bench directed the Palike to file an affidavit listing out the steps taken by it till now, and also sought a status report. The Bench warned that it may have to direct the appearance of the BBMP commissioner in the event of non-compliance.
The Court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking directions to remove banners and cut-outs in the City and also to initiate legal proceedings against persons responsible for them. According to petitioners, banners and flex boards have been erected across the City without obtaining permission from the competent authorities. The unauthorised flexboards, apart from defacing the City, were also causing financial loss to the exchequer, the petitioners have contended.