The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the government side to file a counter-affidavit to a public interest litigation petition specifically stating the steps taken by it against the illegal digital banners in Tamil Nadu. The First Bench of Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam posted the matter for further hearing on February 27.
In the petition, K.R. Ramaswamy alias ‘Traffic' Ramaswamy, a social activist, stated that the authorities were not implementing the law against illegal banners despite High Court orders.
Various political parties, including the ruling party, erected event-related banners on Anna Salai, around the High Court, NSC Bose Road, S.N. Street, Royapuram and Tiruvottiyur High Road.
The PVC banners were of various sizes and shapes and violated laws and rules and the court's directions. Drivers were not able to see the traffic signals because of the banners. Pedestrians found it difficult to use the footpath. The authorities had failed to enforce the law.
He sought a direction to the authorities to either ban or to enforce strictly the rules.
