Will Remove Unauthorised 'No Parking' Signs Put Up By Private Building Owners In Public Roads: TN Govt Informs Madras High Court

The submissions were made before a bench of Acting Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice PB Balaji while dealing with a Public Interest Litigation seeking government action to remove such illegal sign boards. The petitioner had also sought for publications through print and visual media to remove the encroachments.

The petitioner, CS Nandhakumar informed the court that in many streets in Chennai City, owners of multi-storied buildings, apartments, and bungalows were misusing the public space and putting up no parking signs, mud bags, and no parking barricades. He submitted that by putting up these no-parking boards, the private building owners were not allowing the public to park their vehicles in the roads, causing a menace. He also alleged that the authorities were conniving with the building owners.

Additional Public Prosecutor produced photographs to contend that the State had taken action to remove all the unauthorized and illegal no-parking signs.

The petitioner, however, urged that the State give proper publication to the action and also sought to lay down guidelines or directions on the official website or by way of publication in print and visual media. The petitioner also sought for taking stern action against the wrong doers.

The AAG assured the court that necessary instructions would be issued by the Commissioner to the officials concerned for issuing necessary guidelines and directions in the official website within two weeks.

The court then asked the AAG to also indicate in the guidelines that penal consequences would be taken against those occupying public places without any authority. Recording the State's submission, the court disposed the plea.

Counsel for the Petitioner: Mr.M.Raja Sekhar

Counsel for the Respondent: Mr.R.Muniyapparaj Additional Public Prosecutor, Mr.D.B.R.Prabhu Standing Counsel

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Mad) 344

Case Title: CS Nandhakumar v The Commissioner of Police (Traffic Wing) and Others

Case No: W.P.No.22510 of 2024