Delhi HC Dismisses PIL Seeking Action Against Christmas Advertisements By Delhi Govt Citing Wastage Of Public Money

The Delhi High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation, which was filed challenging the Christmas greetings advertisements issued by the Delhi Govt, which according to the Petitioner were meant to serve the political interests of the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP).

The Divison Bench of Chief Justice D.N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh while dismissing the petition observed that "The decision rendered by the Supreme Court in WP 13/2003, the petitioner has already made a complaint to the committee rendered by the SC to look into the advertisements by public authorities and as the committee has already been constituted and the petitioner has already filed a complaint before the committee and the committee is seized of the matter. Liberty is granted to the petitioner to approach the appropriate forum"

Petitioner Kumar Piyush Pushkar argued in person before the Court. He contended that the Christmas advertisements with Chief Minister's photographs were given across the country by the Delhi Government, which is a political gimmick and serves no public interests.

He further contended that, "When people were dying due to shortage of oxygen in Delhi, does it make any sense to spend public funds on advertisements?".

He further contended that the advertisements were issued by flouting the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in WP 13/2003 I.e Common Cause v Union of India.

Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra appearing for the Delhi Govt argued that the petition is completely motivated as the petitioner is a TV Panelist representing the Bhartiya Janta Party and the current petition is filed to impress the higher authorities.

He further contended that the advertisements were not given by any political party to serve political interests "but were just greetings extended by a secular government".

The Court dismissed the Petition while reserving liberty to the Petitioner to approach appropriate forum against public advertisements by the government.