Taking a stern step against political leaders and workers putting up illegal hoardings in the city, the Bombay high court on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 and higher on 15 political workers belonging to ruling BJP as well as MNS. Those who have been penalised by the court include two MLAs, one of which is the BJP Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar. The court has directed all these people to donate the fine amount for the welfare of drought-hit farmers.
The fine was imposed by the division bench headed by Justice Abhay S Oka while hearing two petitions seeking directions for civic bodies to act against political parties, which are defacing the city by putting up illegal hoardings as part of their political agenda.
Out of 15 persons Sachin Gunjar was the lone MNS worker while others were BJP members including BJP Mumbai unit chief and MLA Ashish Shelar and another MLA, Parag Alvani. The court ordered Shelar and Alvani to pay a sum of Rs 25,000 each in addition to the amount they wished to give for welfare of farmers. The others were directed to pay Rs 20,000 and above it personal donation.
The bench while imposing the fine clarified that the amount should be donated to an organisation or an NGO working for the welfare of farmers. The court also directed them to deposit demand drafts on February 26 for sums ranging from Rs 20,000 and above for a social cause.
All these political workers admitted through their lawyers that they had put up hoardings and banners without the permission of the civic authorities and tendered an unconditional apology. They also assured the court that they would not do so in future. However, the court asked the respondents to file a written undertaking to this effect.
The bench said that it did not intend to send the violators to prison for displaying illegal hoardings/banners but would invoke such an action that would deter them from taking the step again. The court imposed fine on these persons while hearing petitions filed by Suswarajya Foundation and Bhagwanji Riyani of Janhit Manch against illegal hoardings.
