Delhi police crackdown on those defacing property

Finding yourself helpless against those defacing property? Well, not any more, with a new legislation making the offence "cognizable" so that the police will be bound to register your complaint.

Finding yourself helpless against those defacing property? Well, not any more, with a new legislation making the offence "cognizable" so that the police will be bound to register your complaint.

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Residents can now approach Delhi Police, which is launching an intensive drive against violators from Monday when its 72-hour time given for removing posters and banners ends, with the complaints.

"Earlier, some policemen used to refuse filing of complaints about defacement because it was a non-cognizable offence. Now, they cannot do that. Any complaint about it has to be registered," a senior police official said.

Soon after President Pratibha Patil gave her assent to Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act of 2007, city police announced a three-day period ending on Sunday against those who pasted posters and put banners in public places to remove it.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said the sleuths will come down "heavily" on the offenders who did not remove the posters and banners.

"People can approach police if their property still remain defaced. We will take prompt action against violators," Bhagat said.