Kerala High Court Cracks Down on Hoardings Obstructing Public Roads by Religious and Political Bodies
In a recent development, the Kerala High Court has sternly warned religious bodies and political organizations against the placement of hoardings, advertisement boards, and temporary structures that disrupt the flow of traffic and pedestrian movement in public areas. The court's directive comes as a response to a contempt of court case that accused parties of deliberately disregarding a previous judgment on this matter.
The division bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar, issued the order, emphasizing the need for compliance. The court's previous judgment had also extended to the Cochin Devaswom Board, instructing them to ensure that temples under their administration refrain from erecting any obstructions on footpaths or pedestrian walkways.
According to the court's earlier ruling on April 11, footpaths are not intended for political parties or organizations to conduct campaigns, demonstrations, or any activity that hinders the free movement of pedestrians. Furthermore, the judgment explicitly stated that hoardings, advertisement boards, and temporary structures should not be placed on public roads surrounding temple premises during annual festivals or religious ceremonies.
During the contempt of court proceedings, the petitioner submitted photographic evidence showcasing hoardings and advertisement boards erected in connection with various temple events, such as the Ashtadravya Mahaganapathy Homam, Aanayoottu, and the Bhagavathy Seva at the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple.
The standing counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board clarified that no permission had been granted to the Temple Advisory Committee for the installation of these hoardings or advertisement boards. In response, Advocate PB Subramanyan, representing the Temple Advisory Committee, assured the court that the committee members had been instructed to remove the displayed hoardings and advertisement boards.
Acknowledging these submissions, the court directed the Devaswom Officer of the Vadakkumnatha Devaswom to ensure strict compliance with the court's earlier judgment from April 11.
The case will be revisited on July 19 for further proceedings.
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TAGS: Kerala High Court religious bodies political organizations hoardings advertisement boards public roads obstruction traffic pedestrian movement contempt of court judgment Cochin Devaswom Board footpaths right of way temples compliance Ashtadravya Mahaganapathy Homam Aanayoottu Bhagavathy Seva Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple contempt of court case directive division bench Justices Anil K Narendran PG Ajithkumar previous ruling April 11 photographic evidence Temple Advisory Committee compliance Devaswom Officer proceedings July 19.
