Karnataka High Court: A Division Bench of Ritu Raj Awasthi CJ and Sachin Shankar Magadum, J disposed of the petition and directed the petitioner to file his complaint within 10 days from the date of order.
The present petition was filed in the nature of public interest litigation wherein the petitioner has prayed for a direction to the respondent 1 to issue necessary directions to all the Municipal and police authorities in the State with regard to removal of unauthorized statues and flag post in the cities and towns.
Counsel for the petitioner Mr. K N Haridasan Nambiar submitted that serious inconvenience is being caused to the public at large and there is traffic hazard due to the installation of these statues and flag post in the State.
Counsel appearing for BBMP Mr. Sreenidhi submitted that no specific allegations have been made with respect to any particular statue which is causing any hindrance or problem for the public or pedestrians. It was further submitted that the statues are there from quite a long time i.e. 20 to 25 years old. In case of specific instance, the same can be enquired into and appropriate remedial measures can be taken.
The Court observed and held that the petitioner may make a complaint to the Chief Commissioner, BBMP giving specific instances where the said statues or flag post are causing any inconvenience to the public or creating any traffic hazard.
It was further held “The said instances would be enquired into by the authorities concerned and appropriate remedial measures shall be taken.”
[K S Suresh v. Government of Karnataka, WP No. 2377 of 2021, decided on 28-10-2021]