Madras HC bans cut outs, banners of living persons

Chennai: The Madras High Court has put a ban on erecting huge banners, flex images and posters containing pictures of living persons.

Hearing a PIL, Justice S Vaidyanathan said the statewide ban would apply even if prior permission was obtained to exhibit them.

Justice S Vaidyanathan issued the order while hearing a petition filed by B Thirulochana Kumari, a resident of Rani Anna Nagar, who asked the court to direct the Chennai Corporation and the city commissioner of police to remove party banners and flags put up in front of her property.

The petitioner submitted that in April, a person named Mathi put up a party flag in front of her property. When she objected, Kumari was allegedly threatened by party workers. She then reportedly approached the Chennai Corporation and the police, but the latter refused to file her complaint.

“Whoever objects to such removal of party flag or banner, etc., the name and address of such person shall be furnished to the police, so that the police shall register a case against such person,” the judge said.