Delhi Police registers FIR against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal under property act violation

TOI City Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 28, 2025, 11:20 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Delhi Police have filed an FIR against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and others for allegedly defacing public property by putting up unauthorized banners and hoardings. The court observed these hoardings pose risks, demanded immediate action, prompting legal proceedings scheduled for April 18th.

Delhi Police registers FIR against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal under property act violation

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Friday informed a court here that it has lodged an FIR against former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others for allegedly misappropriating public funds by installing expansive hoardings across the national capital in 2019.

The police submitted their compliance report before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal.
The court scheduled the subsequent hearing for April 18 after police requested additional time for investigation.

Besides Kejriwal, the court mandated the FIR against former MLA Gulab Singh and then Dwarka councillor Nitika Sharma, for erecting substantial banners.
The complaint lodged in 2019 asserted that Kejriwal, then Matiala MLA Gulab Singh (AAP) and then Dwarka A ward councillor Nitika Sharma "deliberately misused public money by putting up large-sized hoardings" at numerous locations in the vicinity.
Delhi court orders FIR against Arvind Kejriwal
A Delhi court on March 11 instructed the police to register an FIR against former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others regarding defacement of public property.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal issued the directive following a complaint lodged by Shiv Kumar Saxena, who submitted visual proof of unauthorised banners displaying Kejriwal and other AAP leaders across the city.
The judiciary observed that oversized hoardings erected by Kejriwal, ex-legislator Gulab Singh, and previous Dwarka Councillor Nitika Sharma created dual problems: they damaged public assets whilst creating dangerous conditions for traffic movement.
"Deaths caused by the collapse of illegal hoardings are not new in India," the court observed, emphasizing the seriousness of the offence.
The court determined that displaying banners or mounting hoardings constituted defacement as per Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007. The ruling directed the relevant Station House Officer (SHO) to promptly file an FIR under this legal provision.

About the Author

TOI City Desk

The TOI City Desk is an indefatigable team of journalists dedicated to bringing you the pulse of cities from across the nation, all day and all night. Our mission is to curate, report, and deliver city news that matters to readers of The Times of India. With a keen focus on urban life, governance, culture, and local issues, we provide a comprehensive view of the ever-evolving cityscapes. Our team works tirelessly to keep readers informed about the latest developments, ensuring that they are connected to the heartbeat of cities across India, right when it happens. The TOI City Desk is a trusted source for staying in touch with the local stories that shape your world.

End of Article