Chennai: The Madras high court has directed state government to ensure that photographs of persons who are alive, are not displayed in banners, flex boards and sign boards.
When a petition filed by B.Thirulochana Kumari of Arumbakkam came up for hearing, Justice S. Vaidyanathan directed the chief secretary to ensure that the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959, amended from time to time, were complied with and ensure that photographs and pictures of persons who are alive, are not depicted in banners, flex boards and sign boards.
Thirulochana Kumari sought a direction to the Chennai corporation commissioner to remove the party board, banner and flag put up by Mathi in front of her house. According to her, Mathi had set up a political party flag in April 2017 in front of her residence. When she objected she was threatened. On April 13, 2017, she sent a representation to the commissioner, corporation of Chennai but the inspector, Arumbakkam, did not take the complaint on file.
He refused to receive the representation and also allegedly warned her that a case would be registered against her under the provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act if she did not keep quiet. He also abused her.
Counsels appearing on behalf of authorities including the Corporation commissioner and the inspector of police, Arumbakkam police station, said that all banners and party flag would be removed immediately and they would ensure that no such act would take place opposite the residences of people in the city in the future.
The judge recorded this submission and ordered police to register cases against those who object to removal of such pictures. He also directed that photographs/pictures of persons sponsoring the photographs/pictures, shall also not be depicted.
The chief secretary shall send circulars to all office-bearers of the wards of town panchayats/panchayat union/municipality/corporation.
