The Delhi High Court has posed a question to the government authorities on the need for a legislation on defacement of properties in the Capital when a policy on outdoor advertisements was already in existence. The question pertained to the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property (DPDP) Act adopted in 2009.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw asked the Delhi Government earlier this week to clarify its stand on the issue by January 12. The Court was hearing a writ petition moved by the Aam Aadmi Party and a city resident, Anil Bhatia, challenging the action for removal of posters from the houses of people.
The petitioners said the move amounted to denial of right to freedom of speech of the citizens who had willingly put up the posters on their property. The petition contended that the DPDP Act should not be invoked when the posters or banners were put up on the houses and other buildings with the consent of their owners.
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The petition was filed after the Delhi Police removed posters from private properties of AAP supporters and threatened them with action under the Act.