Why no criminal case on illegal hoardings: High Court

BBMP, police told to put end to the ‘menace’ Why criminal cases were not booked against those illegally putting up banners, hoardings, posters? The Karnataka High Court posed this question to BBMP Commissioner M. Lakshminarayana while hearing a petition related to a dispute over erection of an advertisement hoarding. “Why Bangaloreans will have to tolerate these illegality? When are you going to make the city free from this menace,” Justice A.N. Venugopala Gowda asked the Commissioner. Most of these illegal advertisements relate to political parties, politicians and their supporters, religious groups, etc., the court observed. BBMP Drive The Commissioner said that the BBMP had conducted a drive between February and June during which around 28,000 illegal advertisement materials were removed and a fine of Rs. 8 lakh imposed on the culprits. A similar drive was conducted in August during which a fine of Rs. one lakh was imposed, he told the court. “Why no criminal cases are filed when such illegal acts are done repeatedly? No point in imposing a mere fine when there is penal provision in law,” the court said referring to the provisions of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981. As per the Act, those guilty of putting up advertisements without obtaining written permission from the authorities concerned can be imprisoned for up to six months or fined, or can face both punishments. When the court suggested that the BBMP and the city police should coordinate in putting an end to this “menace”, Mr. Lakshminarayana said that he will submit an action plan after meeting the Police Commissioner. -The Hindu