Chandigarh, May 12 -- The Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) has directed the Zirakpur municipal council (MC) to supply names of officers who failed to act against illegal hoardings and submit an action-taken report.

Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), which alleged the installation of illegal hoardings in Zirakpur and other places on national highways in the city, the court made it clear that it is not concerned whether police force is provided by the administration. It is for the municipal council to use its "good offices to ensure the availability of the police force" for removal of illegal hoardings, the court held.

On April 18, the court had directed the MC executive officer to ensure removal of all billboards, unipoles, bi...