Advise cadres not to put up banners, HC tells political

The Madras High Court has suggested that political leaders take a firm stand against erection of illegal digital banners and advise their party cadres not to do so without obtaining permission.

Hearing a contempt petition filed by social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy on the issue, a division bench of justices M Sathyanarayanan and B Pugalendhion on Wednesday pulled up the Tamil Nadu government, in particular the Chennai Corporation for failing to take preventive measures to check the unauthorised erection of banners.

The bench also said the Chief Secretary of the state would be held liable for any infraction of orders passed by the court against erection of unauthorised banners.

It directed the chief secretary to ensure that the communication issued to district authorities to take strict action against unauthorised banners is implemented in its letter and spirit.

Not satisfied with the action taken in connection with a recent incident where over 70 banners were erected by AIADMK cadre in the city, the bench wondered as to what was the use in removing the banners after they were erected.

In the first place, how were the banners allowed to be placed that too in the middle of an arterial road. What were the corporation authorities and police doing till the time over 70 banners were erected, the bench asked.

Ridiculing the submission made by the government pleader that 80 per cent of such illegality had been checked, it said the compliance was because of orders passed by the court and not because of action taken by authorities.

"But for our order will you have acted upon such illegality," the bench wondered.

As the pleader could not give a convincing answer as to the preventive measures taken to check the 'everlasting menace', the bench recorded that no steps have been taken either by the Corporation or the police to prevent such unauthorised erection of banners.

The blame primarily lies on the Corporation, it added.

The bench then posted the matter to September 13 for further hearing.