High Court wants illegal posters, statues removed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: In a much-celebrated order, the Hyderabad High Court on Friday directed the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments to take steps to remove unauthorised flexies, cutouts and statues of political leaders and celebrities in the two states.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta and Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar was dealing with a 2008 petition by Mr Sudanagunta Murali Krishna of Prakasam district challenging the digging of pits for installation of a statue with a platform by encroaching on a 15-foot road leading from the National Highway No. 5 to the villages of Mukthinuthalapadu and Gudimillapadu.

When the petition came up for hearing on Friday, the counsel for the Andhra Pradesh government placed a GO before the bench that had been issued by the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government on February 18, 2013, not to grant permission for installation of any statue or construction of any structure on public roads, pavements, sideways and other public utility places.

A year ago, the bench had sought a response from the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government on the issue.

After perusing the GO, Justice Sengupta expressed deep dismay at the authorities for allowing display of flexies, banners and cutouts and putting up statues despite a ban by the Supreme Court.

Referring to the various cutouts that were displayed in the city, Justice Sengupta said, “It has become a rampant practice. Display of such huge cutouts and flexies will cause inconvenience not only to the people, but will also cause embarrassment to the VIP or the celebrity who is displayed.”