Pursuant to the direction of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court to remove all illegal and dangerous hoardings, arches, banners, and flex-boards from public roads and passages and pedestrian platforms, the State on Wednesday informed the court that necessary action was taken to remove them and prevent their installation.
The State told a Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and G. Arul Murugan that the Director General of Police (DGP) had issued a memorandum. As per the memorandum, the DGP requested all Commissioners of Police in cities and Superintendents of Police in districts to take necessary action and provide suitable instructions to all Station House Officers (SHOs) within their jurisdiction to strictly adhere to the court order. The court directed the authorities to abide by the instructions.
On August 12, the court had directed the State government to remove illegal and dangerous hoardings, arches, banners, and flex-boards from public roads and passages and pedestrian platforms. The court observed that they should be removed immediately to ensure the safety of citizens.
The court had observed the police, the Revenue Department, and the local bodies were bound to remove such hoardings, arches, banners, and flex-boards.
If they failed to do so, the authorities would be guilty of dereliction of duty and negligence. In the event of any untoward incident or complaints, officials who were responsible should be prosecuted and subjected to disciplinary proceedings, the court said.
The court directed the State government to execute the order and file a compliance report on August 20 while hearing the public interest litigation petition filed by T. Arularasan of Nagapattinam district, who sought a direction to the authorities to act against those installing illegal hoardings, arches, banners, and flex-boards on public roads and passages and pedestrian platforms.
He said political parties were installing hoardings, banners, arches, flex-boards, and display boards in violation of law to show off their power and strength ahead of campaigns. But they were duty-bound to get permission from the authorities. The authorities were bound to adhere to the rules while granting permission. They should initiate action against violators and ensure the safety of the citizens, the petitioner said.
Published – August 20, 2025 09:37 pm IST
