5,000 flexes removed from Bengaluru, BBMP tells HC

Hours after being pulled up by Karnataka High Court, the BBMP submitted that close to 5,000 unauthorised flexes were removed on Wednesday.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice R Devdas had issued the directions in response to two public interest litigations seeking directions to remove unauthorised flexes and banners in the city.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) counsel also submitted that he will ensure that all the remaining unauthorised flexes and banners are removed in the next 24 hours and assured the court that the task has been taken up in a serious manner.

The court directed the BBMP to record videos of the removal process and take photographs of the same. The court said this can be submitted to the court by way of a soft copy.

The bench orally observed that Bengaluru needs to be brought back to its glorious past. The court also directed the BBMP to give in writing the plan of action/methodology for removal of flexes and banners noting that the menace will be repeated.

The court warned of harsher measures in future to prevent installation of such unauthorised flexes and banners.

The BBMP commissioner was also present at the hearing. The court adjourned the hearing of the case to August 8.