HC halts hoarding removal in Coimbatore

3rd May 2008,  : The Madras High Court has restrained the authorities from removing any hoardings in Coimbatore. This follows a ruling on a writ petition filed by the Outdoor Media Welfare Association of Coimbatore District. The court has given four weeks time for the authorities to process the applications pending before them.

The petition contended that authorities failed to carry out the Supreme Court Order (2001) and dispose the applications pending even before the 2003 government order was issued. The petition also pointed out that the findings of the High Court-appointed committee - with relation to historical places and other places of importance - were restricted only to Chennai.

A single-member bench delivered the judgment on May 27. However, media owners complain that authorities continue with their hoarding removal spree in the city despite the court ruling. The outdoor Media Welfare Association is planning to file a contempt petition