Days after the Madras High Court banned the use of living persons in all banners and sign boards, it ordered for the immediate removal of unauthorised hoardings erected across Trichy city on Thursday.
The banners had been put up to mark the MGR centenary celebrations, at which the Chief Minister was in attendance, reports ToI.
The court reportedly made it clear that hoardings that were put up after obtaining permission from authorities, also had to be cleared. A compliance report regarding the same, will have to be submitted to the division bench of Justice MM Sundaresh and Justice M Sundar.
According to reports, the directives were given when the bench was hearing a PIL filed by social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy who alleged that the banners were inconveniencing commuters and residents.
The government responded to the allegation by claiming that hoardings were erected after due permission was obtained but the court dismissed the claim and argued that the banners must be illegal then.
On October 24, the HC directed the Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that a clean atmosphere is maintained in public spaces, in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959.
Even where permission is granted for erecting any banners, flex boards and so on, the court ordered that the photographs or images of any living persons shall not be used on them. The court said that this prohibition will also apply to the people sponsoring the banners or flex boards.
In Trichy however, not only did posters carry images of the Chief Minister and his deputy but it also allegedly caused traffic snarls.