Pune: An illegal hoarding that was previously dismantled following a High Court order is being reinstalled near the Sambhaji Police Chowky at Tilak Chowk, raising concerns over regulatory violations. The situation escalated when municipal employees who visited the site for inspection were allegedly threatened and forced to leave. A video of the incident has since gone viral, prompting authorities to take legal action.
As per Maharashtra’s signage regulations, hoardings are strictly prohibited on government-owned land and riverbeds. Despite this, a hoarding was previously installed behind the police outpost, within the jurisdiction of the Kasba Vishrambag ward office.
Following complaints, the then-municipal commissioner initiated an inquiry, leading to the suspension of two employees for issuing unauthorized permissions. A detailed site inspection was conducted, and a report was submitted to the municipal commissioner. The case was later taken to court, where the ruling favored the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Consequently, in February 2023, the illegal hoarding was dismantled.
Despite the court’s ruling, the process of reinstalling the hoarding at the same location has now begun. According to reports, the contractor involved claimed that they had received court approval but refused to provide any supporting documentation. Materials for the hoarding were brought to the riverbed, and installation work commenced.
On February 28, PMC employees visited the site to halt the construction. However, they were confronted by individuals who demanded a written order to stop the work and advised them to take the matter to court. The employees were then allegedly intimidated and forced to leave the premises.
Following the incident, Kasba Vishrambag Ward office’s Assistant Commissioner, Suhas Yadav, confirmed that a related petition is pending in court and that necessary documents have been requested.
Legal advisor Advocate Nisha Chavan stated that the municipal corporation has not received any information regarding a court order permitting the hoarding’s reinstallation.
Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. clarified, “I am responsible for granting hoarding permissions, and I have not issued any such approval. Since municipal employees were intimidated while attempting to stop the work, I have instructed officials to register a case against those responsible.”
Despite the hoarding work being underway, PMC officials appeared unaware of recent legal developments regarding the case. The signage department acknowledged a lack of information, stating, “We are new to this matter and are currently gathering details.”