Calling them “eyesores” that dot the city’s skyline, a PIL filed in the Bombay High Court, has urged the court to direct the removal of all political and religious hoardings put up on roads and open spaces in the city.
The PIL filed by NGO Janhit Manch states that the hoardings, congratulating political and religious leaders, or glorifying a political party, encroach upon public land and rob the common man of the open spaces.
After hearing the PIL on Thursday, CJ Swatanter Kumar and Justice AP Deshpande, issued notices to all the respondents including, the state government, the BMC, Thane and Pune municipal corporations, the deputy inspector general of police and the union government.
The PIL says illegally erected hoarding is liable for imprisonment up to three months and a fine up to Rs2,000 under the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995. The court was, therefore, urged to direct the state and the corporation to remove all illegal hoardings and restrain them from erecting new ones.
Advocate for Janhit Manch Rahul Thakur said that trees are also discreetly pruned or even cut to give better display to the banners. Electricity is also stolen to illuminate them. The banners give unnecessary publicity to political disputes. The court has now given the respondents four weeks to reply.
