Issue public notice for removal of unauthorised emblems, symbols, stickers, names and logos from public and private vehicles within four weeks: Karnataka High Court  

The High Court of Karnataka directed the State government to issue public notice though print and visual media asking people to remove within four weeks all kinds of unauthorised flags, emblems, names, symbols, stickers, seals, and logos of any kind which are prohibited.

The High Court of Karnataka directed the State government to issue public notice though print and visual media asking people to remove within four weeks all kinds of unauthorised flags, emblems, names, symbols, stickers, seals, and logos of any kind which are prohibited.

The court also directed the Central and the State governments to frame regulations for imposition of fine and for cancelling driving licences by providing necessary penal measures in the relevant rules for violating law on use of the national emblems and symbols both on public and private vehicles.

The court noted that there is an “unfortunate tendency” amongst the constitutional functionaries, like former MPs, MLAs, etc., even after they demit the office, of misusing the emblems, flags, names, etc., by affixing them on their letterheads and the numberplaces of the vehicles.

“This conduct is unfortunate. The misuse of symbols, seals, flags, emblem, and names have to be countered for their illegal and unauthorised display at various places in various manners,” the court said, while directing the governments to sternly deal with such conduct.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice M.I. Arun issued the directions while disposing of a PIL petition filed by the High Court Legal Services Committee. The PIL was filed based on a direction of a single judge, who had noticed use of “Human Rights Commission” and other names, which gives an impression that they are vehicles of public authorities, illegally by private individuals and NGOs.

The Bench also directed the Home Secretaries of the Centre and the State governments and other authorities to take steps to effectively implement the provisions of the The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Rules, and the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and the Rules, which clearly spell out who can use national and State emblems, symbols, etc., besides imposing prohibition on their use.

All applicable provisions of Central and State Motor Vehicle Rules dealing with display of registration marks and prohibition on use of State emblem, etc. should be implemented effectively, the Bench said.