Unauthorised Flagposts And Statues: Karnataka High Court Directs Authorities To Conduct Enquiry On Related Complaints

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum gave the direction while disposing of a public interest litigation filed by one K S Suresh. The petitioner had sought directions be issued to the state government to issue necessary directions to all the Municipal and police authorities in the State with regard to removal of unauthorized statues and flag posts, in the cities and towns.

Advocate Madesh N appearing for the petitioner submitted that serious inconvenience is being caused to the public at large and there is traffic hazard due to the installation of these statues and flag posts in the State.

However, Advocate Sreenidhi V, appearing for the BBMP informed the court that no specific allegations have been made with respect to any particular statue which is causing any hindrance or problem for the public or pedestrians. Further, he said that the statues have been there for quite a long time and some of them are more than 20 to 25 years old. In case any specific instance is pointed out by the petitioner, the same can be enquired into and appropriate remedial measures can be taken.

Following which the court said, "In view of the above, we dispose of this writ petition with the observations that the petitioner may make a complaint to the Chief Commissioner, BBMP giving specific instances where the said statues or flag post are causing any inconvenience to the public or creating any traffic hazard. The said instances would be enquired into by the authorities concerned and appropriate remedial measures shall be taken. The petitioner shall file his complaint within ten days from today."

Case Title: K S Suresh v. State Of Karnataka

Case No: Writ Petition No.2377 Of 2021

Date Of Order: 28th Day Of October, 2021

Appearance:

Advocate Madesh N, for Petitioner.

Advocate Rajashekar.S, for R1, R2 & R4

Advocate V.Sreenidhi, for R3

Click Here To Read/Download The Order