Event organisers, including BookMyShow in-charge, arrested for destroying public property

Hyderabad: In a first of its kind, an event organiser was arrested in Hyderabad on Thursday for damaging govt property in the financial district area. Reportedly, the event organiser had attached posters and pamphlets on a traffic-signboard indicating speed limit. Cyberabad traffic police booked cases against other event organisers in the city.

Gachibowli police station on Thursday arrested the prime accused P Pramod while filing cases against other event organisers such as Deepthi, Adif, organisers of Ghoomer Dandiya Night and in-charges of Mera Events and BookMyShow.

K Ramulu, Station House Officer, Gachibowli Police station, said that the public isn’t aware that they are not supposed to stick posters on any public property. “We have registered such a case for the first time to create more awareness among the public. Pramod is currently under the custody of the Gachibowli police station, while we will also arrest in-charges of Mera Events and BookMyShow, as they are equally responsible. A criminal case can be filed against anyone for damaging public property.”

The police chasing after an escaped prisoner is understandable but Karthi is also being chased by a gang of goons. What do they want from him? We’ll find out when #Kaithi releases. #BMSMovies https://t.co/HObPVzhOnw

— BookMyShow (@bookmyshow) October 24, 2019

The awareness is critical, believes Traffic Inspector Ramulu. “Without proper awareness, many event organisers keep sticking posters on barricades, government properties, bus shelters, public park signboards, public toilets, traffic signs, etc. As a result of thisAs a result of this, we will conduct special drives and will book more cases against anyone violating the norms,” he further added.

In 2006, Delhi High Court ordered that sticking posters on public properties is a criminal offence that can land the offender in jail under two sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC). Even in Bengaluru, illegal banners, hoardings can land anyone in prisonprison as per the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) Outdoor Signage and Public Messaging Policy 2018. The policy prohibits outdoor advertising, including commercial hoardings, roof signage, dynamic electronic displays on public properties like bus stops, traffic signboards, public parks etc.