"Political Parties Have No Respect For Court's Orders": Bombay High Court Remarks In Plea Against Illegal Hoardings, Banners

In a Public Interest Litigation concerning the issue of illegal hoardings and banners erected by political parties in public places, the Bombay High Court expressed its frustrations over the continued violation of its earlier directions. Remarking that the political parties do not have any respect for its orders, a division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Amit Borkar today said, “In earlier order, the Court had cautioned political parties and reminded them of their undertakings, however, it appears that the political parties and organisations do have respect for court's orders.” The Court also expressed its displeasure at the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and other municipal corporations for failing to take any concrete steps to check illegal hoardings and banners. The case stems from a 2017 order of the Court, where it issued several directions to the municipal corporations, municipal ward officers, other bodies and commissioner of police to curb the menace of illegal hoardings installed by political parties and their workers. The Court had directed the State government, District heads of police and Director General of Police to take action against any attempts to erect illegal hoardings and banners by political parties and its supporters after the declaration of State assembly elections results.