HC impleads candidates for defacement of public property

The Himachal High Court today impleaded candidates contesting the state assembly elections from the Shimla (Urban), Shimla (Rural) and Kusumpti constituencies in connection withdefacement of public property.
A division bench comprising the Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol andJustice Ajay Mohan Goel passed the orders on a petition filed by Deven Khanna.
Khanna alleged that political parties are painting every possible place with their slogans to appeal for vote, even as writing on walls of government properties is prohibited under the Himachal Pradesh Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement Act) of 1985.
It was observed by the court that its orders were not beingimplemented in letter and spirit.

After going through the affidavit of the chief electoral officer, the court observed that certain steps have been taken, but properties in Shimla town, which is part of the Shimla (Urban), Shimla (Rural) and Kasumpti constituencies, have been defaced with posters and stickers pasted by the candidates.
The court directed to implead all the candidates as party respondents from the above constituencies.
The matter is scheduled for hearing for tomorrow.