Take Prompt Action Against Unauthorized Hoardings, Ads Of Politicians At Public Places & In Govt. Projects: Karnataka High Court Tells State

A division bench of then Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum said,

"The respondent State is directed to ensure that in future also, no display boards, unauthorized advertisements, hoardings at public places as well as in respect of various Government projects are displayed in future. The Government is directed to take prompt action in the matter keeping in view the Circular and the orders passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in W.P.(Civil) Nos.13/2003, 197/2004 and 302/2012 (Common Cause vs. Union of India)."

In the case of Common Cause (supra), the Top Court had restricted publication of photographs of the Government functionaries and political leaders alongwith the advertisement etc. 

While hearing the petition filed by one H M Venkatesh, the Karnataka High Court was informed that the State has already taken various steps for complying with the above directions and that in a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Karnataka Govt, the Urban Development Department and all statutory bodies in the State including BBMP have been issued instructions to remove all such unauthorized hoardings.

Further, it was informed that a Circular was issued in August this year, to all local bodies to adhere to strict compliance and remove photos of people's representatives.

Following which the court noted, "In the light of the compliance report of the State Government and the action which has already been initiated, no further orders are required to be passed in the present PIL."

Accordingly, it disposed of the petition.

Recently, a petition was filed in the Kerala High Court seeking removal of photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Covid-19 vaccination certificates issued to the citizens.

Case Title: H M Venkatesh v. State of Karnataka

Case No: WP 7135/2021

Date of Order: September 17, 2021.

Appearance: P Chidananda, Advocate; Advocate V Sreenidhi for R1, 2; Advocate H Devndrappa for R3.