Advertisers need not be made party to PIL, HC told

The advertising agencies need not be made a party to the PIL pertaining to the removal of unauthorised flexes and hoardings in the city, the government and BBMP submitted before the high court on Tuesday.

The court then asked the advertising agencies to think about the consequences of allowing them to implead in the PIL.

The court then sought to know whether there would be lawlessness issue if the BBMP's circular banning advertisements until one year was kept in abeyance.

The advocate general stated that the advertising agencies are not the proper parties to the petition, and hence they cannot have a grievance in the matter. The relief will not apply to them.

The BBMP submitted that they have just removed the unauthorised hoardings and flexes and they have not barred the advertising companies.

The BBMP counsel also submitted that from 2016 the civic body had not renewed the licences of any advertising agencies.
Furthermore, it has the constitutional right to regulate the hoardings in the city.

The court also orally observed that it would become sub judice if it impleads all the interlocutory applications. The plea sought by the advertising agencies are part of other writ petitions that are pending before the single bench. So what will happen if we implead you in this matter, the court asked.

It also orally observed that the advertising agencies are approaching the court due to their business interest and added that there was a need for some system to control the disfigurement in the city through hoardings.

The case was adjourned to Wednesday.