JOIN USDissatisfied with the report filed by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on removal of flex boards and advertisements, the High Court on Thursday directed the Palike commissioner to file an affidavit in four weeks.
Hearing a plea by a City-based advocate Jnana Prakash, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice A S Bopanna warned the commissioner of stern action if the affidavit filed is contrary to inspection.
“We are not satisfied with the statement made by BBMP’s legal cell on the action taken. Anyone taking roads will notice instantly that the Palike’s bid to free the City of flex boards is only cosmetic,” the Bench observed.
The petitioner submitted that despite the Court’s direction, the Palike has failed to implement the order. Hoardings of political leaders and advertisements of educational institutions continue to dominate several parts of the City. Responding to the submission, the Chief Justice asked the BBMP: “Do they want to go behind bars?”
However, when the counsel for the BBMP submitted that the Palike has implemented the order in parts of the City, the Bench questioned: “How many politicians have been served with notices? Any fine has been collected so far?”
When the Palike counsel said notices have been served on institutions and not politicians, the Chief Justice remarked: “ If the politicians want their face to be seen by people, they must pay for it.”
The Bench also directed the City Police Commissioner to ensure that the Court’s order is implemented.