Political advertisements not allowed on autos: Delhi government to High Court

NEW DELHI: The city government today told the Delhi High Court that political advertisements are not allowed on public service vehicles, including autorickshaws.

The submission was made before a bench of justices B D Ahmed and Vibhu Bakhru, which was hearing a plea against Delhi government's 2013 order prohibiting advertisements and posters on auto rickshaws.

Delhi government's transport department placed before the court its latest guidelines for display of advertisements on public service vehicles, as per which any advertisement containing political, ethnic, religious or sectarian text will not be permitted.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for auto drivers, objected to the inclusion of the word 'political' in the guidelines. The bench asked the petitioners to file a fresh application opposing the guidelines if they are aggrieved by it and said "then we will consider it".

Responding to the plea of the auto drivers that some coercive steps may be taken against them for displaying political advertisements, the court said "nothing will happen" and listed the matter for hearing on August 22.