The Bombay High Court has slammed the Maharashtra government for failing to take action against illegal hoardings and banners, saying Mumbai residents want to get rid of them as they disfigure the metropolis. The bench questioned whether, while dealing with such cases, the orders of law enforcement agencies or those who do not follow the law would be applicable.

The bench directed all municipal bodies to take action against illegal hoardings and banners.

Since 2017, the High Court has been issuing directions to the government and municipal corporations in the state to take action against illegal hoardings and banners. Taking the problem of hoarding seriously, a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Arif Doctor said on Tuesday that the government is not able to follow even the normal orders.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in an affidavit that, as per earlier instructions, two police personnel will have to accompany the corporation employees at the time of removing illegal hoardings to avoid a law-and-order situation.

The civic body's counsel informed the court that, on several occasions, police assistance was not provided to its employees during such operations. The bench expressed displeasure over this.

The court said, "If you (government) cannot follow this simple order, then what can be expected from this government... this government machinery... the police commissioner?" If appropriate action is taken against hoardings and the people who put them up, Mumbai will be free from such signboards that disfigure the city. “Hoardings and banners not only bring a bad name to the city but also create obstructions and are sometimes dangerous,” the court remarked.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) in which concern was raised over the increasing number of illegal hoardings and banners in the state. The court said that there is no need for corporation employees to accompany police personnel to remove each hoarding, as all this would not create a law-and-order situation. In its order, the bench directed all municipal bodies to take action against illegal hoardings and banners.