The Madras High Court on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, criticised the state government for failing to curb political flagpoles being erected on road medians, observing that its earlier orders on regulating such installations were being widely violated.
During the hearing of a petition concerning the placement of flagpoles on public roads, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan said political parties across the spectrum were disregarding the court’s directions. He noted that even the Anna Flyover had not been spared, stating that the ruling party had placed flags on the structure. The judge told the state he had video evidence of the violations and asked officials to produce any permission orders, if granted, for installing flagpoles in such locations.
Additional Advocate General J Ravindran, representing the government, said no permissions had been issued for placing flags on medians or flyovers. He informed the court that the state had already framed standard operating procedures governing temporary flagpole installations along roadsides and that necessary action was being taken against violators. He added that a detailed report would be submitted after obtaining inputs from the district collector.
Justice Ilanthiraiyan cautioned that the court may initiate suo motu contempt proceedings if the authorities fail to act on the violations. The matter was adjourned to 3 December 2025.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
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