Political ads on private land: HC reserves order

Delhi High Court today reserved its order on a plea challenging the move of the authorities to remove political posters from houses of people who were willing to put them up on their property.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw reserved its judgement after hearing arguments of both the parties.
"We have heard the arguments. We will pass the order," the court said.
Earlier, the High Court had asked the city government to explain the need for a law on defacement of public property to govern political hoardings when a policy on outdoor advertisements was already in place.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioners Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Anil Bhatia, had said that the move amounted to "denial of right to freedom of speech of the citizen and the restriction should be immediately set aside before the campaigning period gets going."
The petitioners had also sought a declaration from the court that "the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, does not prohibit putting up of posters or banners on one's own house or any other building with the consent of their owners".
Bhushan had alleged that the said process of removal was a clear violation of the fundamental right and freedom of speech and expression, guaranteed to every citizen of India under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The petition was filed after Delhi Police had removed posters from private properties of AAP supporters and threatened them with action under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007.