Explain ads on pedestals, says court

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Friday asked the police to file an explanation on the advertisements put up by private companies on traffic pedestals at road junctions by March 28.

Justices Bilal Nazki and SA Bobade said by having such advertisements, people could be driven to think that the police were at the “beck and call of somebody”.

IK Chhugani, a Khar resident who first filed a PIL against 269 illegal police chowkies in the city, had told the court on February 29 that the traffic police had erected pedestals across the city to earn “steady illegal income” through advertising every month since 2001. Shahaji Solanke, deputy commissioner of police, traffic, in his affidavit filed on Friday said the traffic control board was not earning any revenue from advertisements. The affidavit added that it was BMC’s duty to take action against the advertisers who putting up the allegedly illegal hoardings. The affidavit also said there were 35 more pedestals other than the 86 pointed out by Chhugani.

The court, however, said if the police had taken private investment for infrastructure, it would be considered as misconduct.

Chhugani also drew the court’s attention to 150 illegal chowkies in Mumbai apart from the 269 pointed out through his PIL earlier. “These chowkies are used for unlawful activities, where any contraband can be stored without any fear of it being discovered by any individual or government agency,” Chhugani said in his affidavit earlier.