New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Tuesday asked the city government to respond to a plea filed by the AAP challenging the move of removing the party's posters from houses of people willing to put them up.
The court said police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi be restrained from removing posters from houses under the garb of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property (DPDP) Act.
The plea by the Aam Aadmi Party sought direction for police not to remove election campaign material from the homes of willing Delhi residents.
A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw questioned what will happen if there were posters on every house.
"The purpose of the DPDP Act is when you walk on streets, the view should be good. What will happen if there is a poster on every house?" the court asked advocate Prashant Bhushan who appeared for the petitioner.
Bhushan told the court that banning people from putting posters would be denial of the right to freedom of speech.
"This move is denial of the right to freedom of speech and expression of the citizen and the restriction should be set aside immediately as election is around the corner," he argued.
The bench, however, questioned how the right to freedom of speech was being violated.
"The posters or banners are for the purpose of others to see not for yourself. So how your freedom of speech and expression is being violated?" the court asked.
On Oct 17, 2013, the Election Commission in its reply to petitioners had said "putting up of banners/posters at homes of volunteers/supporters on private property is prohibited under the DPDP Act".
Congress releases first list of Delhi candidates
New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) The Congress Thursday released its first list of candidates for the fort
ACs soon to be installed in two court complexes
New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Air conditioners in every chamber of two court complexes will be insta
Venkatesh Iyer, who played an explosive inning as an opener for the Indian Premier League's franc
SFI asks Smriti Irani to sack Delhi University VC
Kolkata, March 26 (IANS) The CPI-M-backed Students Federation of India (SFI) on Thursday urged
In 2012, Ajay Devgn's action comedy film Son of Sardaar was released in theaters. This movie won
Udaipur Files: Delhi High Court refuses to ban 'Udaipur Files', film will be released today
The film 'Udaipur Files' has been in controversy since the beginning. This film was to be release
What did Saudi Arabia say in India on Taliban, Pakistan, and Kashmir?
Visiting Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has said that attention should
Vote in large numbers, PM urges Delhiites
New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday urged the voters in Delhi to exer
HC asks Delhi Police to curb illegal sale of acids
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Taking strong note of acid attacks on women, the Delhi High Court ha
EU hopeful of Speedy Resolution of Italian Marines issue
New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) The European Union Wednesday expressed hope that a "speedy" resolution