No illegal hoardings should be put up – Bombay High Court tells citizens 

The Bombay High Court, which was offended by unlawful hoardings and banners hanging from trees, sidewalks, and streetlights, urged the public on Wednesday to refrain from encouraging or placing these items up.

Senior High Court judges stated that it is our responsibility to urge the public to become aware of the situation and refrain from engaging in any behaviour that supports such illegality, which may endanger pedestrians and other road users.

The judges declared that action must be taken on behalf of the general public as well as at the level of municipal corporations and state government. It is illegal for any individual or group of individuals, including political parties, businesses, or religious institutions, to use public spaces like streets, sidewalks, or street lights for commercial purposes or personal benefit. How any group of people can feel free to hang a banner from a street light is incomprehensible.

In response, a senior BMC advocate said that the BMC guidelines do not allow for the temporary display of banners, posters, or other signs on public roads and walkways. On private property, permission is given to display advertisements.