No hoardings of politicians, court tells BMC

The Bombay high court on Friday directed the BMC to take a decision regarding disallowing hoardings of politicians on their birthdays.

A division bench of justices PB Majmudar and Amjad Sayed were hearing a PIL filed by Janhit Manch in March 2010, urging the removal of hoardings. “Don’t give permission to put up such hoardings. Why should such posters come up on politicians’ birthdays?” asked justice Majmudar.

The BMC’s lawyer sought time to take instructions. The judges directed that the BMC should take an ‘appropriate decision’ to see that “such type of posters regarding birthdays  of somebody, especially of political leaders on hoardings” are not allowed to be put up.

The PIL sought the removal of hoardings and also prosecution against politicians guilty of putting up such banners, thereby violating the Maharashtra Defacement of Property Act, 1995, and the Bombay Police Act, 1951. The PIL joined as party-respondents MP Priya Dutt, Shiv Sena’s executive president Uddhav Thackeray, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh and other politicians.

According to the petition, every ward officer should be made accountable for the stringent enforcement of the policy of advertisements on public properties under the provisions of the BMC Act, 1888, and the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995. The judges have adjourned the matter to February 10.