Bombay High Court Expands Crackdown on Illegal Hoardings Across Vidarbha
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has significantly escalated its ongoing battle against illegal hoardings, broadening the scope of its action from Nagpur city to encompass all 11 districts of the Vidarbha region. In a decisive move on Thursday, the court appointed 11 court-appointed commissioners to conduct thorough investigations and submit district-wise ground reports within a strict deadline of three weeks.
Court's Stern Stance on Unauthorized Advertisements
The court, which has repeatedly issued stringent orders targeting unauthorized hoardings, observed that the pervasive problem extends far beyond the city limits. Previously, the bench had directed the municipal corporation to issue notices proposing a substantial fine of 5 lakh rupees for contempt in cases of non-compliance. This latest directive emerged during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by Dinesh Naidu, the secretary of the NGO Parivartan.
The petition was presented before a division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode. It alleged blatant non-compliance with earlier court orders concerning illegal hoardings that were erected during the winter session of the state legislature last year. Taking serious note of the allegations, the court directed that an amended petition be filed within one week to formally expand the case's scope to cover the entire Vidarbha region.
Appointment of District-Wise Court Commissioners
To ensure comprehensive oversight, the court has appointed specific commissioners for each district to investigate and report on the prevalence of illegal hoardings in their respective jurisdictions. The appointed commissioners are as follows:
- Tushar Mandlekar (Nagpur)
- Vedant Pandey (Gondia)
- Shantanu Bhoyar (Wardha)
- Mahesh Dhatrak (Yavatmal)
- Jagvijay Gandhi (Akola)
- Kuldeep Mahalle (Amravati)
- Mohit Khajanchi (Chandrapur)
- Kaustubh Devgade (Bhandara)
- Vijay Morande (Gadchiroli)
- Rahul Ghughe (Washim)
- Rigved Dhore (Buldhana)
These commissioners are tasked with conducting detailed ground surveys and submitting their findings to the court within the stipulated three-week period. Their reports will provide crucial data on the extent of illegal hoarding activities across Vidarbha.
Additional Directives to Nagpur Municipal Corporation
In addition to appointing commissioners, the court has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to submit a tabulated report. This report must specify how many violators have been served notices and how many cases are still pending action. This directive aims to enhance accountability and ensure that previous orders are being effectively implemented.
The court's proactive measures underscore its commitment to addressing the issue of illegal hoardings, which not only deface public spaces but also pose safety hazards. By expanding the scrutiny to all 11 districts of Vidarbha, the bench is taking a holistic approach to eradicate this widespread problem. The upcoming reports from the court commissioners will likely serve as a foundation for further legal actions and policy interventions in the region.
