BackLAW
Chandigarh HC asks Zirakpur MC for names of officers who failed to act against illegal hoardings
Punjab and Haryana High Court directed Zirakpur Municipal Council to reveal names of officers who did not act against illegal hoardings and to submit an action-taken report. The court also required an affidavit detailing steps taken to curb recurrence and scheduled further proceedings for May 26.
Why It Matters
The ruling emphasizes accountability of municipal officials in enforcing advertising regulations and may impact enforcement against illegal hoardings on major roads and private properties.
Timeline
4 Events
May 12, 2026: Court schedules May 26 hearing; MC to file affidavit naming officers and actions taken
May 12, 2026
The court, posting the matter for hearing on May 26, directed the Zirakpur MC to file an affidavit naming officers or employees who were duty-bound to prevent illegal hoardings and to disclose what action has been taken by the MC to prevent recurrence in the future.
May 8, 2026: Deadline for filing compliance report with photographs
May 8, 2026
The court’s directive required the MC to file a compliance report along with photographs by the May 8 hearing regarding removal of illegal hoardings, billboards, unipoles, bipoles and gantries.
April 18, 2026: HC directs Zirakpur MC to remove illegal hoardings and file compliance report by May 8
April 18, 2026
The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Zirakpur Municipal Council to remove billboards, unipoles, bipoles and gantries installed unlawfully in areas where they are not permitted and to file a compliance report with photographs before the May 8 hearing. The executive officer indicated partial compliance, and police assistance was to be provided by the district magistrate, Mohali, but was not made available by the SSP.
June 2025: PIL cites incident of unipole collapse damaging cars
June 2025
PIL petitioner Arjun Shukla referenced a June 2025 incident in Zirakpur in which seven cars were damaged when two unipoles fell on vehicles during a dust storm, highlighting safety concerns and demanding remedial steps.