Ministers, political leaders should appeal to followers not to put up illegal hoardings: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court on Thursday made stern observations against the conduct of the political leaders and ministers for not proactively curtailing their followers from putting up illegal hoardings in public places..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik said that if the ministers and political leaders ask their followers to not put up hoardings, it could make a difference.“Those in charge of governance believe that rule of law should not be upheld, that it is of no use. If the ministers and political leaders encourage their followers to take down hoardings then only it will work? Can we expect this much from them? Those whose names are there on hoardings must appeal to their followers, to not put up hoardings, their followers will listen to them. We cannot encroach on the executive, there should be amendment of rules,” CJ Datta remarked.The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition against menace of illegal hoardings installed across the State..During the hearing today, the Court was informed about the struggles police officers face for taking down illegal hoardings.Additional Government Pleader BV Samant pointed out that the police officers are required to check with the local municipal authorities on whether the location at which a hoarding had been put up, was legal or not..The Bench was, however, not convinced with the submission and suggested that the municipal commissioner could give a list of open spaces and buildings were hoardings could be legally put.“If it doesn’t fall in that list, the hoarding can he removed, if not, let it remain. A division bench has already passed an order. Do you want us to come down on streets to implement it?” CJ Datta remarked..At this point, the Bench suggested the State government to file a report by August 12 stating what measures it proposes to take to tackle this "menace" of illegal hoardings and posted for hearing on August 19, 2022.