Karnataka High Court Rejects Challenge to Bus Tobacco Advertising Removal Orders

The Karnataka High Court dismissed an advertising firm's petition challenging circulars from the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation directing the removal of tobacco-product advertisements from buses and bus stands. The directions covered promotional stickers and illuminated signboards. The single-judge bench of Justice C.M. Poonacha said the corporations issued the circulars after entering into agreements with the petitioner, M/s Sai Advertiser, so it could not obtain relief through a writ petition. The court said the firm may submit objections to the corporations, which can consider them and decide. The state government’s counsel argued that such advertising is prohibited under the 2003 tobacco-control law.