The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a strict view of the rising number of illegal flexes, hoardings, banners and cutouts displayed across the city during the Winter Session of the State Legislature. Expressing deep displeasure, the court directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to immediately submit a list of all individuals responsible for installing these illegal hoardings.
The court also questioned why a ₹5 lakh fine should not be recovered from each offender and why criminal cases and contempt proceedings should not be initiated for openly violating court orders.
A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas was hearing a contempt petition filed by Dinesh Naidu. During Tuesday’s hearing, the court noted that over 60 illegal hoardings had been put up on metro pillars along Wardha Road. Angered by this, the bench sharply criticized the NMC and warned that officials responsible could even face jail time. The court then ordered all illegal hoardings across the city to be removed within 24 hours.
On Wednesday, the Municipal Commissioner submitted an affidavit claiming that all illegal hoardings had been removed. However, the court remained unsatisfied and demanded a detailed list of all “well-wishers” and activists who had put up hoardings anywhere in the city. It also asked the NMC to explain why action should not be taken against each of them.
Adv. Tushar Mandlekar appeared for the petitioners, Adv. Gemini Kasat represented the NMC, and Adv. Deepak Thakre appeared for the State Government.
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