Bombay HC Orders Crackdown on Illegal Hoardings

The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued strict orders to crack down on illegal hoardings set up by political parties ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The court directed municipal corporations, councils, and gram panchayats across Maharashtra to conduct special drives aimed at removing illegal hoardings.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar instructed district collectors to organize meetings before this weekend to plan the drives, which must be executed within the next seven days.

The court was hearing petitions seeking contempt proceedings against civic officials for failing to implement a 2017 court order banning illegal hoardings and banners on public roads. Advocate Uday Warunjikar, representing the NGO Suswarajya Foundation, raised concerns that the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections in November could lead to a surge in illegal hoardings.

The bench reminded political parties that these hoardings pose a public safety risk and noted that parties had previously promised not to engage in such activities. The court emphasized that any violations would be dealt with seriously.

Civic authorities were instructed to take strict action against violators, with police providing necessary support during the drives. District collectors and other officials were also asked to actively participate and file affidavits detailing their actions by November 12.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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