Illegal flex boards of political leaders back on streets: High Court lambasts officials

KOCHI: The High Court called out the awful state of affairs in Kerala as flex boards flaunting political leaders’ photos have yet again surfaced on streets despite countless warnings from the court.

“The local secretaries are helpless. The government will get a good amount of fines for the illegal flex boards placed on the streets. However, they will not care to proceed as the culprits are among themselves.” Said Justice Devan Ramachandran.

Amicus Curiae Harish Vasudevan pointed out that although the huge board erected by the Secretariat Employees Association was removed following a court order, a new board of the same organization has appeared in the same location.

The court directed the local bodies to clarify the number of cases, fines levied, and details of the FIR filed in illegal flex board cases.

“If the government takes a strict stand, no one will put up boards on the roadsides.” opined the court.

The corporation informed that 4500 boards have been removed in Thiruvananthapuram city in the last ten days.

The court even noted the big surge in flex boards on streets praising students who secured full A grades in school exams. There was also a considered rise in flex boards with devotional content in nooks and corners of cities.

“Seeing flex boards of people in power will only make more people follow suit. This won’t increase public support for the leaders. If not intervened earlier, imagine how worse would have been the situation in Kerala by now” the court asked.