Today, On 8th March, Supreme Court judge Justice A.S Oka expressed concern over the growing issue of illegal banners. He criticized the widespread practice, stating that it violates laws and affects public spaces. Justice Oka emphasized the need for strict action to curb this culture. His remarks highlight the importance of enforcing regulations to maintain order.
New Delhi: Supreme Court Justice Abhay Oka voiced his dissatisfaction on Saturday regarding the prevalence of illegal banners, noting that the Bombay High Court previously ruled that prior authorization is required for their display.
Speaking during the inauguration of a magistrate court in Mira Bhayandar, Thane district, he also expressed frustration over the “lack of discipline” at the event, criticizing media representatives and other attendees for pushing and struggling.
During his remarks, Justice Oka urged the Maharashtra government to appoint more judges and enhance court infrastructure with modern technology. He mentioned that while en-route to the event, he initially appreciated the banners welcoming guests, only to later realize that they were illegal.
Calling on the local civic body to take immediate action to remove them he stated,
“A Bombay High Court judgment mandates that no banners or hoardings should be displayed without prior authorization. However, none of these hoardings had the necessary permission number, rendering them illegal,”
Additionally, he noted the unruly behavior of the crowd during the plaque unveiling, which included pushing women.
Justice Oka expressed regret and admonished media representatives and other attendees for their lack of decorum at the program.
He questioned whether media representatives should continue to be invited to judicial events if such indiscipline persists, asserting,
“This is not a political event or one involving actors. This is a function of the judiciary where discipline is essential. Media professionals must maintain decorum during such events.”
The Supreme Court judge emphasized that the judiciary is dedicated to safeguarding freedom of expression, particularly that of the media.
Regarding judicial infrastructure in Maharashtra, he shared insights from his time as the chairman of the Infrastructure Committee of the Bombay High Court, noting that proposals frequently encounter delays and bureaucratic obstacles.
He provided an example where the Maharashtra government approved a new court building but denied a proposal for a judicial administrative building, despite its clear necessity.
He remarked,
“Despite a 2018 Bombay High Court order mandating 25 acres of land for the construction of a new Mumbai High Court building, only four to five acres have been allocated as of March 2025, highlighting the sluggish pace of implementation in Maharashtra,”
While welcoming Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s announcement of the creation of 2,000 additional judges’ posts, he pointed out that the state continues to face a significant shortage of judges.
He referenced a 2016 Supreme Court ruling recommending that India should have 50 judges for every 10 lakh people to ensure timely justice; however, the current figure stands at only 21 to 22 judges per 10 lakh people, which is substantially below the required ratio.
To enhance the efficiency of justice delivery, he urged the state government to prioritize appointing more judges, improving infrastructure, and incorporating modern technology in courts. Present at the event were Deputy CM Shinde, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Alok Aradhe, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, and others.
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