Top Court Upholds HC Order to Axe Flagpoles

In an important decision, the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal and upheld the order of the Madras High Court directing political parties and other organisations to remove permanent flagpoles erected by them in public places, including national highways and government lands.

- Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty @ New Delhi

A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi pronounced the order recently after hearing an appeal filed by Kathiravan challenging the HC's judgment. The petitioner's counsel challenged the direction and argued that the HC had passed a variety of directions though the relief sought in the underlying case was limited. After hearing his submission, Justice Maheshwari asked, "How can you use government land for pol