CHENNAI: The directives of the State government on defacing the walls of public properties have now been approved by the Madras High Court. Any violation of the rules hereafter would result in contempt of court, the first Bench of high court has warned.
The moment any defacement was detected, the penal provisions should be invoked and the Collectors and police authorities informed. Direction of the government had the high court’s imprimatur by today’s order and thus any violation would be contempt of court, Bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan said on Monday.
The matter relates to a PIL from advocate ‘Elephant’ K Rajendran, who prayed that the court direct authorities to prevent painting of religious symbols, political graffiti and advertisements on mountains, hills, avenue trees, and road medians.
Graffiti on walls and public buildings was a common sight in Chennai and elsewhere in the State, Rajendran added.
Following a request from the Additional Advocate General, PH Arvind Pandian, to grant three months to monitor it properly, the Bench said that while granting the time, the court would like to have information on the action taken on fresh defacements immediately. For that, the Bench listed the matter on July 19.