Illegal Hoardings: Kerala High Court Questions Lack Of Details On 'Unresolved Complaints' Lodged On K-Smart Portal, Seeks Audit Report

Justice Devan Ramachandran was hearing matters concerning unauthorised bill boards and banners in public places.

As per the earlier order of the Court, the Secretary of the LSGI filed an audit report, but the Court noted that there was no clarity on the actual nature of the complaints, the specific actions taken, or whether any fines were imposed or collected. It only contained the number of complaints received and resolved.

“What has been presented before the Court is not an audit but merely a list, which I cannot accept,” the Court remarked. It further questioned the lack of detail regarding the large number of unresolved complaints, emphasizing that the audit failed to comply with the requirements of an earlier court order.

The senior government pleader requested additional time to submit a comprehensive and proper audit report. The Court allowed the request but made it clear that the revised audit must include detailed information on the nature of each complaint, the actions taken in response, and a complete account of fines collected or requisitioned.

Meanwhile, in relation to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the standing counsel submitted that the Corporation has taken the Court's directions seriously and has initiated a state-wide cleanup of bus stations and facilities. The counsel even presented photographs as evidence of ongoing efforts.

The Court appreciated the submission and acknowledged the progress made by KSRTC, but reiterated that maintaining cleanliness must be a continuous and sustained effort.

The matter is posted after two weeks for further consideration.

Case Title - St. Stephen's Malankara Catholic Church v State of Kerala

Case No - WP(C) 22750/ 2018

Counsel for Respondents - George Varghese, A R Dileep, P J Joe Paul, Manu Sebastian, K V Sohan (State Attorney), Ashok M  Cherian (Additional Advocate General), T S Shyamprasanth (Government Pleader), Vincent Joseph, Lal K Joseph, Babu Karukapadath, C N Prabhakaran, N  Nandakumar Menon (Sr.), Suman Chakravarthy, M K Chandra Mohan Das, S Sreekumar, K K Chandran Pillai (Sr.), S Ambily, Namitha Nambiar, Saji Thomas, Vaniah Maria Dominic, M Meena John, Issac M Perumpillil, Santhosh P Poduval, Bindumol Joseph, B S Syamanthak, Anju Anilkumar, Prem Chand R Nair, Deepu Lal Mohan, Deepu Thankan

Amicus Curiae - Harish Vasudevan & Jacob Mathew

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