In a violation to model code of conduct, the posters of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Jannat Jahan Ul-Haq have been found pasted on the walls of Government High School in colony number 4 in Chandigarh.
In view of violation of poll code, the Deputy Magistrate-cum-returning officer, Mohammad Shayin on Monday wrote to SSP Chandigarh to direct the concerned SHO to register an FIR against the violators and supply a copy of the same to the Deputy Magistrate.
In a letter written to the SSP, the DC has stated, “The model code of conduct has come into force after the announcement of lok Sabha elections 2014 on March 5.
“Danish Ashraf, SDM (east) has reported that during his visit to colony no. 4, Chandigarh, posters of BSP candidate for Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency- Jannat Jahan have been found pasted on the walls of the Government High School, colony no. 4, which is indeed a public property and this is a clear cut violation of mode code of conduct,” stated the letter.
“Also, the Government of India, vide Notification dated 25th January, 1985 has extended the West Bengal Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1976 (West Bengal Act 21 of 1976) to Union Territory of Chandigarh to take appropriate action against the violators. As per the Act ibid, “defacement” includes impairing or interfering with the appearance or beauty, damaging, disfiguring, spoiling, injuring in any other way; and whereas ‘property’ includes any building, hut, structure, wall, tree, fence, post, pole or any other erection.” The letter stated, “As per Section of the Act, the offence is cognisable. Hence, direct the concerned SHO to register an FIR against the violators and supply a copy of the same.”
Earlier on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer had slapped a notice on BSP candidate Jannat Jahan Ul-Haq for violating the model code of conduct of election by holding a public meeting in a city-based mosque.
BSP candidate from Chandigarh, Jannat Jahan Ul-Haq is presently BSP's municipal councillor from ward number 23, which covers Ramdarbar, Hallomajra, Deep Complex, Faida and Bair Majra.
Notably, the UT Election Department has constituted three separate Committees to check the enforcement of model code of conduct in the UT of Chandigarh in lok Sabha polls.