HC orders notice to TN govt, Centre on poll graffiti

Chennai, Mar 16 (UNI) Madras High Court today ordered notice to Tamil Nadu Government, the Centre and three others, on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), to prevent encroachments by anybody by any means, including religious symbols and political graffiti on natural resources like mountains, hills, hilllocks, avenue trees and on the central medians on high ways.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan also ordered notice to Chief Election Commissioner of India, State Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman, Pollution Control Board, on a PIL filed by a Public Charitable Trust, 'In Defence of Environment and Animals' (IDEA).

The Bench while posting further hearing of the PIL to April five, granted leave to the petitioner to include the General Secretaries of DMK and AIADMK as Respondents and ordered notice to them too.

In its PIL, IDEA submitted that big advertisements, election graffiti and religious slogans were painted on the road side, mountains, hills and rocks.

The Supreme Court had recently held that natural resources like mountains, hills should not be spoilt by painting or advertisements.

In the light of this judgement, the State and Union Governments should protect them.

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