Chennai: Madurai bench of Madras HC on Thursday ordered that no political party should transport people in trucks, vans or buses to take part in its rallies during the run-up to Lok Sabha elections. Also, erecting of flex boards and banners is banned.
The bench comprising Justices N. Kirubakaran and S.S. Sundar, hearing a PIL from K.K. Ramesh of Madurai, said the issue raised "is very important". Already the court had passed injunction against erection of flex boards and banners. "Since it happens to be election time, there is possibility of erecting flex boards, cut-outs and banners", noted the judges.
They said the flex banners used PVC which caused a range of health hazards including cancer, disruption of endocrine system,impaired child development and birth defects, besides neurotoxicity. Hence the court has now directed total ban on the use of "banners, flex boards, PVC cut-outs, etc., by anybody including political parties".
The judges also banned the political parties from bringing people in large numbers in trucks, vans and buses to participate in political rallies. Not just that, the court has ordered that all parties added as respondents in the case and said, as well as the Election Commission of India, should respond to the petition by March 21.
