Defacement Of Natural Resources and Public Constructions With Politicians' Photos And Slogans: SC Pulls Up TN Govt.

The order came in a Special Leave Petition filed by 'In Defence of Environment and Animals (Idea)' unsatisfied with the judgment passed by Madras High Court in this regard. The bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice Sanjeev Khanna has asked the state to respond within two weeks.

'Elephant' G.Rajendran, the Managing Trustee of IDEA, had approached the Madras High Court in 2006 seeking a direction from the Court to prevent encroachments by anybody by any means including religious symbols and political graffiti, advertisements by private parties on the natural resources like mountains, hills, hillocks, roubles, avenue trees and on the centre median of the National and State Highways.

The Madras High Court had passed various orders in his writ petition and also formed a committee to take note of grievances raised by Rajendran. While disposing his writ petition, the high court said that suitable action has to be taken against the persons who disfigures the walls and other natural resources like mountains, hillocks etc. However, it had observed: "But the manner in which the petitioner making allegations against the political parties appears to be totally uncalled for. The petitioner must have self-restraint with regard to his feelings, while exercising freedom of speech and expression. Making this sort of allegations, would rather waste the time of this Court and would abuse the process of law. The Government also has got a better business, performing its duties as the executive machinery of the State. Wherever there is violation of law, it is only the Court to interfere or direct to keep things in an orderly manner. Thus, orders are passed from time to time. It cannot be simply said that the Government has not taken any action as regards the complaints made by the petitioner with regard to disfigurement."

Due to lack of official staff and other machinery, it may not be possible for the State to take steps immediately, and it will take some reasonable time to carry out the exercise, the High Court had said while closing his writ petition.

Read SC Order