Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed the State government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to submit a report on whether any action has been initiated against illegal banners and flexes under the provisions of Karnataka Open Spaces (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981 since enactment of this law.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice H.G. Ramesh and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar issued the direction after it was brought to their notice, during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, that no rule has been framed so far to enforce this law, which had received the President’s assent in 1982.

Petitioner’s counsel G.R. Mohan pointed out that unauthorised banners are being put up in the city, but no action is initiated due to lack of rules to enforce the law.

However, the BBMP counsel submitted that nearly 600 cases have been booked against offenders, but not under the anti-disfigurement law of 1981.

The Bench suggested to the BBMP counsel to travel up to Mehkri Circle to verify the number of banners.

In his petition, Mayige Gowda, a social activist, alleged that more than 20,000 banners have been put in the city illegally, but authorities have not initiated any action against the culprits.