A division bench of Justice Bilal Nazki and Justice SA Bobde asked the police to clear their stand in two weeks on traffic booths across the city which are owned by a private advertising company.

There are 74 traffic booths, where traffic policemen stand, provided by Everest Media.

Khar resident IK Chhugani who first filed a PIL against 269 illegal police chowkies in the city, had also pointed out to the court on February 29 that the traffic police have erected pedestals across the city and traffic junctions and other places to earn steady illegal income every month through advertising since 2001.

Public Prosecutor Satish Borulkar on Friday submitted that booths were not owned by police department.

An affidavit filed by Shahaji Solanke, deputy commissioner of police, Traffic, stated that the traffic control board does not earn any revenue from advertisements.

The affidavit added that it was the duty of the BMC to take action against advertisers who putting up the allegedly illegal hoardings.

As per the affidavit, there were 35 more pedestals other than the 74 that were pointed out by Chhugani.

But the division bench questioned the rationale behind traffic cops using privately-owned booths. “Seventy-four booths won’t cost more than Rs 20 lakh. Police department surely has money...” the court noted.

“If you have taken private investment for infrastructure, it is misconduct,” said Justice Nazki.

The judge said it was the question of public perception.

“When you have advertisement on booths, the common man can think that police are at the beck and call of somebody.” Chhughani’s original PIL was about unauthorised police chowkies (outposts) and private persons sponsoring them.

After the PIL came up, Police Commissioner said nobody would be allowed to sponsor a chowky.