Birender Sangwan vs Distt. Judge North West & Anr.
2018 Latest Caselaw 2252 Del

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*IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+                         W.P.(C) 486/2018

%                             Date of decision : 11th April, 2018

       BIRENDER SANGWAN                            ..... Petitioner

                          Through :   Petitioner (Adv.) in person with
                                      Ms. Kanika Sharma, Adv.

                          versus

       DISTT. JUDGE NORTH WEST & ANR ... Respondents
                     Through : Mr. Sanjay Dewan and Ms.
                               Palak Rohmetra, Advs. for R-1.
                               Mr. T. Singhdev and Mr. Tarun
                               Verma, Advs. for BCD.
                               Mr. Praveen Nagar and Mr.
                               Rakesh Chauhan, Advs. in
                               person.
       CORAM:
       HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
       HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.HARI SHANKAR
                     JUDGMENT (ORAL)

GITA MITTAL, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE

1. This writ petition complained of defacement of the walls of the court complexes by the contestants during the recently conducted elections to the Delhi Bar Council.

2. Pursuant to the notices issued by this court, several candidates against whom the petitioner has made complaints have got removed

the offending material which was displayed/pasted by them in the court complexes. Moreover, these candidates have given assurances to this court that such acts would not be repeated. We have accepted the assurances given by the contestants to this court.

3. It cannot be denied that public property has to be maintained and preserved and its defacement is not only completely impermissible, but is an offence under the provisions of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.

4. All the District Judges and Bar Associations of all courts shall ensure that in future there is no defacement of court complexs/public properties take place during any elections, especially the elections to Bar Associations and Bar Councils.

5. The petitioner's suggestion with regard to creation of a "democracy wall" including the possibility of creation of digital "democracy wall" or a designated place where the candidates to such elections could place their campaign material in support of their candidature, shall be examined and a concerted view be taken thereon.

6. This writ petition is disposed of in the above terms.

Dasti.

ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE

C.HARI SHANKAR, J APRIL 11, 2018 aj