Delhi Police Register FIR Against Arvind Kejriwal for Violating Public Property Act

Delhi Police filed an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders of the party on charges of public property misuse.

The matter is at the trial stage before Rouse Avenue Court with its next date for hearing being on April 18.

The FIR was filed after a directive from the Delhi court, which directed the police to act against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders on a complaint by Shiv Kumar Saxena.

Saxena produced evidence in court, alleging that AAP had posted unauthorized large banners and posters in the Dwarka region.

On March 11, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal directed the police to register an FIR, citing visual evidence filed by Saxena that revealed unauthorised hoardings of Kejriwal and other AAP leaders erected all over the city.

The court viewed the case seriously, explaining that such unauthorised hoardings not only spoil the city's beauty but also present traffic risks. It also referred to previous experiences of deaths that occurred due to falling illegal hoardings to emphasize the urgency for stern action.

The case has been enrolled under Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007.

Along with Kejriwal, the court ordered an FIR to be lodged against former MLA Gulab Singh and former councillor Nitika Sharma. The Delhi Police has now filed a compliance report in Rouse Avenue Court, stating that the FIR has been registered.

The case goes back to 2019 when political hoardings of huge size were reportedly erected in Dwarka, triggering charges of public resource abuse. Although a complaint was made then, a move has now been made following the court order.

The development has caused a stir within political circles, with opposition parties capitalizing on the opportunity to denounce AAP. Nevertheless, the party has not released an official statement over the allegations.