The Bombay High Court on Thursday expressed grave concern over the proliferation of illegal hoardings and banners across Maharashtra, describing the situation as “horrendous” and “sad.” Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar issued notices to all major political parties, including the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, NCP, and MNS, questioning their compliance with earlier court orders and threatening contempt proceedings.
The court’s frustration stems from a long-standing battle against unauthorized advertisements and the apparent flouting of directives issued in 2017, which demanded strict action to curb this issue. Despite previous assurances, given through undertakings by these parties, the court observed an increase in illegal hoardings, especially following recent elections.
“What can be more horrendous than this? Despite our judgment directing strict action against illegal hoardings, see where we are headed to,” the bench remarked during the proceedings. They highlighted the duty of government and civic bodies to prevent such illegalities without requiring continual judicial intervention.
The bench also criticized the local civic authorities’ efforts as insufficient, despite the expenditure incurred and the manpower deployed to remove these hoardings. “Why are they even allowed to be put up? You say efforts are made. We are not questioning that but they are clearly inadequate,” they stated.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf reported to the court that approximately 22,000 unauthorized hoardings had been removed post-elections, a number the court deemed insignificant given the scale of the problem. The judges were particularly dismayed by photographs submitted by petitioners showing unauthorized hoardings outside the High Court building and the city civil court, questioning the enforcement of penalties against the violators.
The court warned that if pushed to a corner, it would be compelled to take stringent actions not just against the political parties but possibly against civic body chiefs as well. The case has been posted for further hearing on January 27, where the court expects a more definitive action plan and compliance from all parties involved.
