Prosecute those erecting illegal flag poles: HC to Kerala govt

One-liner: With the 10 days given by it for voluntary removal of illegal flag masts erected across the state coming to an end, the Kerala HC on Thursday directed the govt to invoke provisions of Land Conservancy Act against all flag poles -- which number 42,337 -- in Kerala.

Time given: The HC on Nov 15 had given 10 days time to those who have put up flag poles in the state to remove the same on their own before any action is initiated by the govt or its authorities.

• On Thursday, the state govt told Justice Devan Ramachandran that it had given wide publicity to the court's Nov 15 order and the authorities have ensured that no new flag masts were erected since then
• The court said that if the stand of the govt was accurate, then all the flag masts in the state will have to be made subject to the Land Conservancy Act and consequent prosecution and imposition of penalties have to be invoked

Interim order: The court had on Nov 1 passed an interim order directing that no illegal flag poles or masts be put up in the state while the issue was being examined by it.

• The court was hearing a plea by a cooperative society alleging that a particular political party was illegally putting up flags and banners on its land

Source: PTI