Bombay HC Issues Notice to Political Parties Over Illegal Hoardings

On December 19, 2024, the Bombay High Court expressed its strong disapproval of the widespread illegal hoardings and banners across Maharashtra, describing the situation as "horrendous." The division bench, led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, issued notices to several political parties, including the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, NCP, and MNS, seeking explanations. The court demanded that these parties clarify why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to adhere to previous court orders regarding illegal hoardings.

The court has repeatedly ordered action against illegal hoardings over the years. In 2017, the court had directed political parties to provide written assurances that their members would avoid erecting unauthorized hoardings. While most major parties complied at the time, the court observed that those commitments had now been ignored. On Thursday, the court pointed out that the political parties had failed to honor their promises, leading to the issuance of fresh notices and a demand for an explanation as to why contempt of court charges should not be filed.

This latest issue arises after the court noticed the increasing number of illegal hoardings, especially following elections. Despite repeated court directives and the Maharashtra government’s efforts to remove these hoardings, the court noted that the problem persists. The bench expressed frustration, stressing that such hoardings not only clutter public spaces but also violate the rule of law. The presence of these hoardings near key judicial buildings, including the Bombay High Court, was particularly concerning, signaling a lack of respect for authorities.

Despite the Maharashtra government and local municipal bodies’ claims of removing 22,000 hoardings post-elections, the bench criticized this figure, calling it insufficient. The court pointed out that illegal hoardings continued to rise, further questioning the government’s commitment to addressing the issue. The bench also emphasized that local authorities are responsible for preventing these violations, and warned that failing to do so could prompt the court to take stronger actions.

During the proceedings, Advocate General Birendra Saraf mentioned that 22,000 hoardings had been removed after the elections. However, the court noted that this effort was too small compared to the scale of the issue. It stressed that the state government has the authority to ensure that municipal bodies comply with the court’s orders, calling out the negligence in enforcement.

The case is set to be heard again on January 27, 2024, as the Bombay High Court continues to monitor the progress of the government and municipal bodies in addressing the issue of illegal hoardings across Maharashtra.