Madras HC orders TN Govt to recover cost for removing defacements from violators

Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to collect from political parties and other entities responsible for defacement of public places the actual cost incurred for removing such disfiguration. 

The recovery of cost would be apart from the action that has to be taken in terms of Section 4(2) of the Tamil Nadu Open Places Prevention of Disfigurement Act, 1959, the court said in its interim orders on two petitions. 

The court in its order passed on Friday also made it clear that notices shall not confine only to the recognised political parties but all registered parties. 

It granted two months time to complete the action as requested by the Additional Advocate General, but cautioned that officials, including District Collectors, would have to face contempt proceedings if there was any violation of its orders. 

The court then adjourned the matter to December 9. The petitioners had sought action for alleged non-implementation of the court's January 9, 2014 order related to removal of defacements from public places.