Ex-Delhi CM booked for defacing public property

The case pertains to a complaint filed back in 2019, claiming that Kejriwal, along with other Aam Aadmi Party leaders, had misused public funds by installing large hoardings in the Dwarka area.

The legal battle began when a complaint was filed by one Shiv Kumar Saxena, who alleged that large hoardings, featuring Kejriwal, Gulab Singh, and others, were unlawfully placed in various public spaces across Dwarka.

The complainant had alleged that public funds were misused and the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, was violated for installing banners.

Some of these posters advertised the Delhi Government’s initiatives, while others extended greetings for religious festivals, featuring multiple political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders.

Initially, a status report filed in 2022 by the Dwarka South police concluded that no hoardings were found at the locations mentioned in the complaint. Consequently, the Metropolitan Magistrate of Dwarka court dismissed the case on September 15, 2022.

However, Saxena pursued a revision petition before the Rouse Avenue court, which allowed the plea and directed a fresh hearing. During subsequent proceedings, the session court ordered a reconsideration of the application under Section 156 (3) of the CrPC, emphasising the necessity of a speaking order that evaluates whether a cognisable offence had been committed.

On March 11, the court had ordered registration of an FIR in the matter. The police today filed a compliance report in the Rouse Avenue court and informed it that an FIR has been registered. The matter is listed for the next hearing on April 18.