THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE B. VIJAYSEN REDDY ORDER : (ORAL)

This writ petition is filed by the petitioners seeking to declare the action of respondent No.3 in issuing show-cause notices dated 26.08.2025, proposing removal of advertisement hoardings, flexes, and structures belonging to their agencies on the basis of alleged violations of Circular No.143551/2020/K2 dated 04.07.2020, which was already kept “In Abeyance” by Circular No.143351/2020-24/M1 dated 18.03.2024 pending policy review, and in derogation of the circular bearing Lr.No./Advt./HYDRAA/2025 dated 04.03.2025 issued by respondent No.4, as being illegal and arbitrary.

2. Heard Mr. V. Roopesh Kumar Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Laxmaiah Kanchani, learned standing counsel for respondent No.3 - Municipality, and Mr. Kowthuru Pavan Kumar, learned standing counsel for the HYDRAA for respondent No.4.

3. The grievance of the petitioners is that show cause notices dated 26.08.2025 were issued to the petitioners directing them to remove the display board i.e., Unipole/Hoarding which is displayed against the norms of the Commissioner and Director Municipal Administration (CDMA) guidelines and advertisement policy within a period of seven (7) days.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that though the notices dated 26.08.2025 are styled as show-cause notice, they are in the nature of final notice and without giving any opportunity to the petitioners, the respondent authorities are trying to remove the hoardings, flexes and advertisement boards erected by the petitioners. It is submitted that the petitioners have submitted individual replies to the show-cause notices dated 26.08.2025 issued by respondent No.3. However, respondent No.3 without considering the replies, without conducting any enquiry, in violation of principles of natural justice, respondent authorities are taking coercive steps to remove the hoardings, flexes and advertisement boards erected by the petitioners. 5. In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of, directing respondent No.3 not to remove the hoardings, flexes, advertisement boards erected by the petitioners, pending consideration of their reply pursuant to the show-cause notices dated 26.08.2025. Further, respondent No.3 is directed to conduct enquiry, pursuant to the show- cause notice dated 26.08.2025, and pass orders, in accordance with law, by affording opportunity of hearing to the petitioners. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs.

As a sequel thereto, miscellaneous applications, if any, pending in the writ petition stand closed.

______________________ B. VIJAYSEN REDDY, J September 10, 2025 RSP/MS