HC Slams BBMP, State Govt Over Unauthorised Banners In City

The Karnataka High Court (HC) came down heavily on the city’s civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the state government for failing to curb the illegal flex menace. The HC warned the government of strict action and ordered it to submit a report on action taken to stop such activities. The HC slammed the BBMP and government for ‘failing’ to contain the illegal flexes, banners, and hoardings across the city despite a ban order by the court way back in 2018. Do you need a five-year plan to stop people from erecting illegal banners, are you waiting for an auspicious moment to remove unauthorised banners? the HC bench of Justices Prasanna B Varale and MGS Kamal said.
The court said that during Assembly elections there were 60,000 illegal flexes and only 134 complaints were considered and 40 FIRs were registered. The HC also questioned the government why there was no action against office-bearers of political parties who had erected illegal banners.
Flexes and banners are a black mark on the brand Bengaluru. What picture are you giving to investors? Bengaluru has been left on its own, the court said. The court also warned BBMP and the government that there will be a fine of Rs 50,000 for each illegal banner in the city. The HC ordered the BBMP and the government to submit a report on action taken on illegal hoardings in the city within three weeks.