Minister DK Shivakumar Gets Booked For Putting Up Illegal Flex Hoardings
Mangaluru: If you think our Kudla Netas are bad in displaying flex banners/hoardings when it comes to advertising, how about our controversial Karnataka’s Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar, who doesn’t listen to anyone nor budges to any laws, has got into trouble with the law, where Byatarayanpura Police Station that falls under Bengaluru police has registered a case against Him for failing to remove an illegal ad banner despite being issued several warnings. Based on a complaint given by Muthuraj, an assistant RO (Revenue Officer) of the Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the police have proceeded to book a case.
An FIR has been filed under Section 3 (Penalty for unauthorized disfigurement by advertisement) and 5 (punishment for abettors) of the Karnataka Open Place Disfigurement Act 1951 and 1981. Also, Section 233 and 285 (Prohibition against obstruction to streets) has been applied under the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act of 1976. Apart from the aforementioned, Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been charged.
The police complaint was only filed after repeated notices were served on 13, 15, 30 August and 1 September. The hoarding was present in Pantapalya, off Mysore Road. The use of flex banners were rampant until the High Court of Karnataka intervened in the matter and asked BBMP to take up steps after a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) was filed. An official ban on all forms of outdoor advertisements in Bengaluru for a year’s time is in place after the BBMP passed the Outdoor Signage and Public Messaging bylaws. But it is learnt now that after FIR was filed, the minister had ordered his men to remove the flex banner.
Minister U T Khader says “IT’S OKAY” to Display Flex Banners/Hoardings during ‘Mangaluru Dasara’
During the press meet held by minister U T Khader last evening at Circuit House on the Slaughter House/Abattoir issue, a bunch of journos had raised questions about a massive display of flex banners/hoardings during Mangaluru Dasara, even an ordinance was passed a couple of years ago banning flex publicity materials. With all these flex banners mushrooming in the city, Mangaluru City Corporation has turned a blind eye to the ‘Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, and the MCC officials will take it easy on them, till the celebrations are over on 20 October.
Having instructed the MCC officials to take it easy and go slow on the Disfigurement Act, Minister told media persons, “I myself had instructed MCC not to remove the flex banners/hoardings at least until the Mangaluru Dasara celebrations end on 20 October. I do agree that we are going against the law, and I am aware of the Act and its implications, but sometimes we need to cooperate and adjust with the laws during religious events. Mangaluru Dasara which is next best to Mysuru Dasara does need some extra publicity and showcasing, so I think its okay for a while to erect these flex publicity materials. Let’s not make a big issue on this for a while”.
He further said, “But after action has been taken by MCC against illegal flex hoardings, the display of such hoardings has come down nearly 80% compared to earlier days. Even Court directions have helped the administration in this respect. But I will surely instruct MCC officials to crackdown on political advertisements using flex, including mine too. But with respect to this religious celebration let us not create any animosity and hate in this regard during Mangaluru Dasara” added Khader.