Kerala HC Orally Warns Of Strict Action Against Secretaries Of Local Self Govt Institutions For Inaction On 'Unauthorized Boards/ Hoardings'

While hearing a 2018 plea concerning unauthorized hoardings, a single judge bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran said that the Secretaries have to take action against entities who place unauthorized boards/ banners in public places and have collect fines from them.

“I therefore notify Secretaries of every Local Self Government institution that any existing board anywhere in the state of Kerala will be their responsibility as has been already declared by the Court and by the Government through their circulars/orders. Consequently, such persons will have to face action from this Court including for contempt and loss of revenue to the exchequer if they do not act in terms of the earlier directions,” the court said. 

The Court lamented that in spite of its orders, the concerned authorities were not taking action against unauthorized boards. It noted that the authorities, by not collecting the requisite fines, were also causing loss to the exchequer.

Thus, the Court orally warned the Secretaries that they would face contempt action for even a single unauthorized board, banner in their jurisdiction. It orally stated that every Secretary would be held liable and recovery proceedings would also be initiated against them.

The matter has been posted for further hearing next week.

Case Title: St. Stephen's Malankara Catholic Church v State of Kerala and Others

Case No: WP(C) No. 22750/ 2018