This may just change the face of the Assembly elections in Delhi later this year. Literally. The Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Bill 2007 was passed by the Assembly on Monday.
The Bill raises punishment for defacement of any property to imprisonment of upto two years and or a fine of Rs 50,000. The Bill which defines defacement has been defined as putting marks writings etc on a property except the name of the owner and the address of the property, also brings under its ambit any company/organisation/individual at whose behest a property is defaced.
Explaining the need for the legislation, urban development minister Rajkumar Chauhan said: ‘‘The provisions of the West Bengal Prevention of defacement of Property Act 1976 as extended to NCT of Delhi w.e.f 28.09.1983 do not provide an effective deterrent. The present legislation has more stringent penalties and also powers for composition of offences.’’
According to the provisions, the lieutenant governor would have the rights to erase any markings — that qualify as defacement — made on any properties.
The timing of the Bill is very significant given that Delhi goes to polls within a few months and even though defacement is rampant in the city right now, the more stiff penalty provisions are expected to be a deterrent.
Even though the Bill was passed BJP has raised objection to the fact that two Bills were passed without discussion at a time when the opposition was absent as they have been suspended for three days.
In two letters written to the speaker and the chief minister, leader of opposition Jagdish Mukhi has alleged that the government ‘‘conspired’’ to keep the opposition out to prevent it from raising ‘‘uncomfortable’’ issues like sealing. Writing on the wall Only the name and address of the owner of the property can be printed on it Defacement would include writing or marking with ink, chalk, paint or any other material The guilty person would face imprisonment upto one year and/or a fine of upto Rs 50,000
If the offence is committed at the behest of any organisation, company or individual they would also be held guilty.
The L-G would have the power to erase all such writing
The Times of India 1st April 2008 Delhi P. 6
With thanks from The Time of India
©All rights reserved with the Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd
For any query:- legalpoint@aol.in
The Times of India 1st April 2008 Delhi P. 6
With thanks from The Time of India
©All rights reserved with the Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd
For any query:- legalpoint@aol.in
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