Ensure no defacement during Dusu elections'

New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Monday directed the Centre, Delhi University and the city police to ensure no defacement of public property during the upcoming Dusu elections and give wide publicity to the penal consequences of such actions.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar said defacement of public property did not only mean putting pictures or writing over the property, it also included pasting posters and putting hoardings. It asked the authorities to take steps forthwith.

The bench also asked the authorities to give widespread publicity in all the colleges and campus of Delhi University to the penal provisions for the offence of defacing public properties. The court was informed that the Delhi University Students’ Union (Dusu) elections are likely to be held in September.

It was hearing a plea by advocate Prashant Manchanda, who sought a complete ban on defacement of public properties by the Dusu poll candidates.

The petitioner also placed several photographs showing defacement of properties by prospective candidates campaigning for the Dusu polls.

The bench asked Delhi government additional standing counsel Sanjay Ghosh to ensure that the Delhi police take stringent action on it. It directed the Delhi University students, who defaced Delhi Metro properties during the varsity polls last year, to participate in the meetings held for beautification of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) sites.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on September 12. It issued bailable warrants against several students, who had contested the 2017 Dusu polls, for failing to appear before it despite being served a notice. The Delhi police also filed a status report saying that it was taking action against any violation of the provisions of Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, in a diligent manner.

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