HC directs BBMP to restore hoardings on Hebbal flyover

HC directs BBMP to restore hoardings on Hebbal flyover

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for what its said was its arbitrary and illogical action in removing hoardings from the Hebbal flyover in Bangalore.

Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh, who was hearing a case by Star Advertisers, directed the BBMP to ensure that the hoardings that it had removed were given back to the company and that they were put back on the flyover.

Star Advertisers had moved the court after the BBMP on August 8, 2008 removed the advertisements put up by it on Hebbal flyover. The company said the BDA had permitted it to set up pole ads atop the flyover and signboards beneath the flyover.

The BBMP said it removed the hoardings after Star Advertisers failed to renew the contract for exhibiting the advertisements. The company said no notice was served on it before the hoardings were removed. Moreover, it said it had sent a demand draft for the amount well before the expiry of the contract. It said the BBMP had returned the draft, saying that it was not in the proper format.

Taking a dim view of the BBMP action, Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh asked the BBMP to ensure that the hoardings were back on the flyover. He also levied a fine of Rs. 10,000 on the BBMP official who had returned the DD and asked the civic body to ensure that the amount was collected from his salary.