The Bombay High Court, on Thursday, issued a show cause notice to all political parties, seeking an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for violating court orders on illegal hoardings.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyay and Justice Amit Borkar expressed grave concern over the proliferation of unauthorized hoardings, terming the situation "horrendous."

Referring to their earlier judgment mandating strict action against illegal hoardings, the bench remarked, “Despite our directions, this is where we find ourselves. It is a very sad situation.”

The court was hearing a contempt petition linked to its previous ruling against the erection of illegal hoardings by individuals and organizations across Maharashtra. The judges criticized state and civic authorities after being presented with photographs showing unauthorized banners outside the high court and city civil court buildings.

The bench highlighted that political parties had previously submitted undertakings, assuring compliance with court orders, but appeared to have failed to uphold their commitments.

"These undertakings were taken on record in earlier orders, but it seems political parties have not honored them," the court noted.

Warning the authorities against inaction, the bench cautioned, "Do not push the court into a position where we are compelled to take strict action. This is a word of caution."

Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the court that 22,000 hoardings had been removed. However, the bench questioned the overall scale of the issue, pointing out that the total number of illegal hoardings put up remained unclear.