The Hyderabad High Court on Friday directed the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments to take immediate steps for the removal of unauthorised statues of political leaders and celebrities from public places. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta and Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar, gave orders in this regard.
The bench was dealing with a petition by Sudanagunta Murali Krishna of Prakasam district, which was moved in 2008, challenging digging of pits for installation of a statue by encroaching upon a road from the National Highway No 5 to the villages of Mukthinuthalapadu and Gudimillapadu.
When the petition was heard on Friday, the counsel for the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government produced an executive order issued in February last year barring installation of statues or construction of structures on public roads, pavements, sideways and other public utility places.
ADVERTISEMENT
Justice Sengupta expressed dismay at the authorities in allowing the activity despite the ban.
The bench noted that the issue that was pointed out by the court in the matter had already been taken care of by the undivided AP State by issuing the order. The order could be termed an existing law as on the appointed day for bifurcation. This was still binding on both the States and their officials.
The bench directed the Commissioners of Police in metropolitan cities of both States, municipal authorities and other senior police officers to strictly adhere to the GO.
ADVERTISEMENT