Remove unauthorised publicity materials, HC asks DCCs

The High Court today ordered the authorities concerned of two Dhaka city corporations to take immediate steps for removing unauthorised billboards, banners, posters and other publicity materials from the establishments in DCCs, if they are set up.

The court also asked the authorities to monitor so that unauthorised publicity materials are not installed in the structures in DCCs.

The HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar came up with the order following a petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental lawyers Association (Bela) in August this year seeking direction on the authorities to explain whether the city corporations have taken steps for removal of the unauthorised publicity materials.

Earlier on March 18, 2012, the HC had directed the authorities to immediately remove all unauthorised hoardings, posters, banners, arch-gateways, wall-writings and other publicity materials placed in the city.

The HC has issued the directives following a writ petition filed by Bela in 2012.

Following the latest petition, the HC on August 14 this year asked the authorities to explain whether they have taken any step for removing the unauthorised publicity materials from establishments in DCCs.

The city corporations authorities then submitted reports to the HC saying that they removed the publicity materials from the structures in DCCs under the HC directives, Bela's lawyer Minhazul Hoque Chowdhury told The Daily Star.