Madras HC notice on plea to stop erection of flagpoles in public spaces

Chennai: The Madras high court has ordered notice to the authorities on a petition, which sought a direction to them to impose a complete ban on erecting flagpoles, permanently or temporarily in public places.

A division bench comprising Justices N.Kirubakaran and M.V.Muralidharan posted after four weeks, further hearing of a petition filed by A.Radhakrish-nan of Salem, a social activist.

According to Radhakrishnan, one of the guidelines issued by the State Election Commission was removal of flagpoles of all political parties erected in public places. The Commission has already issued directions to police and revenue officials to remove all flagpoles and hoardings put up by political parties in public places. Most political parties have already encroached public places like footpaths, parks, playgrounds, common places without the government’s permission and have erected flagpoles permanently. These flagpoles are a hindrance to traffic, the petitioner alleged.

He said the unmindful and indiscriminate digging damage underground optical fiber lines of BSNL and other telecom cables leaving thousands of phone connections dead. The officials turn a blind eye to these atrocious acts for reasons known to them. These acts were punishable for the offences under section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Public Property Damages and Loss Act. Therefore, he sent a representation to the authorities on May 7, 2016. However, no action has been taken till date. Hence, he filed the present petition, he added.