Bombay HC expresses anger over illegal banners

The Bombay high court on Thursday expressed anger over the unwillingness of political parties to implement several orders passed by the court against putting up of illegal hoardings in the state. The court also directed senior police inspector of Deonar police station and investigating officer of the case in which members of a political party had assaulted BMC officers for attempting to remove illegal hoardings put up by them.

The division bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Dr Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi while hearing a bunch of PILs against illegal hoardings in the state observed that political parties are making a mockery of the judiciary by not following its orders prohibiting putting up of illegal hoardings and banners in the state.

BMC’s lawyer Anil Sakhre, without naming any party, informed the court that sometime back when civic body officials had gone to remove illegal hoardings they were beaten up by the members of a political party who had put up those hoardings. He said that as per court order two policemen should escort team of BMC officers, which is going to take action against illegal hoardings and banners but no policeman was present with that team. He also said that Deonar police has registered case against unknown persons.

Following this the bench observed, “This is a serious allegation. This cannot be taken lightly.” The judges asked two police officers of Deonar police station to remain present in court on Friday to inform about progress made in the investigation into this incident. “We have to take strong action, only then this will stop. The moment we find there has been a breach of our orders there will be contempt notice issued,” the bench further observed.

During hearing Shiv Sena lawyer Vishwajeet Sawant suggested to the court that anytime a person sees an illegal hoarding, he could approach the office of concerned political party and request them to remove it and if the political party does not remove it, then the civic body can take action.

The bench however was not convinced with this suggestion and said, “Is it so easy Are you seriously saying this a common man could enter the office of a political party and complain about illegality done by it ” It also said that since BMC officers were being assaulted, the common man stand a slim chance against such political parties.