“Can't Have Vague Petitions”: Madras High Court Expresses Disinclination To Entertain Plea Seeking Removal Of Illegal Banners In Chennai City
The Madras High Court, on Wednesday (August 19), expressed disinclination to entertain a plea seeking direction to the authorities to remove all illegal banners, placards, and advertisements put up in public places, in violation of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules 2023.
The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan expressed disinclination after noting that the petitioner had not specifically listed out the places where the banners were set up illegally. The court orally remarked that it could not entertain such vague petitions to remve banners from the entire city.
“You have to be specific. You can't file a vague petition seeking removal from entire city. What if they have valid license? This is a public interest litigation. You can't misuse it. You have to point out specific instance ls of violations. Have you approached the authorities before coming to this court. Only if you file a list of places, list of specific holdings, the competent authority can take action,” the court orally remarked.
After the court expressed disinclination, the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the plea. The court permitted the petitioner to withdraw the plea with liberty to file a fresh petition before the concerned authorities by listing specific details on where the illegal banners were erected.
The petition was filed by G Deva, a resident of Vadapalani and a Cable TV operator. The petitioner submitted that due to the mushrooming of illegal hoardings and banners on the roads and over buildings, many accidents were happening, which at times resulted in loss of life also.
The petitioner added that the High Court and the Supreme Court have on several occasions directed authorities to strictly follow rules and take stringent action on violators and ensure that no illegal banner and hoarding is placed endangering life and property of the general public in Chennai and throughout the state.
The petitioner pointed out that though Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules 2023 provided strict restrictions regarding placement of banners, the authorities are permitting the same and not taking any action against the illegal advertisements.
The petitioner added that though representations were submitted to the authorities to take action against the violators, they had failed to take action against the violators or remove the illegal hoardings. Thus, the petitioner had approached the court seeking direction to the authorities to take action and remove the illegal hoardings.
Case Title: G Deva v The Secretary to Government and Others
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 398
Case No: WP 32945 of 2026