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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued a show cause notice to all political parties, asking them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for defying the court's orders.  

A division bench of the high court, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyay and Justice Amit Borkar, observed that the increasing number of unauthorized hoardings in the state had become a "horrendous situation."

"What can be more horrendous than this? Despite our judgment directing strict action against illegal hoardings, see where we are headed to. This is a very sad situation," the bench said.

The bench was hearing a contempt petition related to a previous high court judgment concerning illegal hoardings erected by various individuals and organizations across Maharashtra.  

The court strongly criticized the state and civic authorities after photographs were submitted, showing illegal hoardings and posters displayed outside the high court building and the city civil court.  

The bench noted that political parties had previously submitted undertakings before the court, assuring that they would refrain from putting up illegal hoardings and banners.

"The court had in its earlier orders taken on record the undertakings given by the political parties. However, it appears that these political parties have not come true with the same," the bench said. 

The high court further told the civic authorities to not push the courts to take strict action against them. 

"Don't push the court to a corner where we have to then take strict action. We are cautioning you," the bench said.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf told the court that 22000 hoardings were taken down. However, the bench said it did not know how many hoardings were put up.