Phata poster nikla neta

Delhi police forms special teams; registers 40 cases for defacing Delhi University walls

Delhi police forms special teams; registers 40 cases for defacing Delhi University walls

All they wanted to is to reach out to their prospective voters but the message reached the cops instead.

The Delhi Police has formed two special teams to keep a tab on the student netas who put up their posters on the University walls in contravention of the model code of conduct.

During the last two months the police registered 25 cases under the Delhi Defacement Property Act. Till 23 of this month, 19 more cases have been registered as the campaign for the Delhi University Student's Union polls reached a feverish pitch. Polling will be held on September 4.

Post-er-it: Students walk by a wall in DU covered with poll posters file/photo

The police said that the two teams would not only prosecute offenders but also clear the walls of the poll graffiti.

"The two teams alternate during day and night, catching offenders as well as clearing the walls of the graffiti," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagarpreet Hooda said.

However, the young politicians on the campus described it as draconian. Youth netas said without posters it would be really difficult for the candidates to fight elections in the university. "Delhi University elections have always been a show of strength. We cannot do without the posters," said an NSUI member.

Delhi University proctor Gurmeet Singh, though, hailed the police action. "It is not possible for us to enforce the model code of conduct on our own. The police action will ensure that the code should be followed in letter and spirit."