Till now, Delhi was using the Bengal Defacement of Property Act, 1976, which had been extended to Delhi since 1983. The Act was more or less ineffective as the offences listed under it were non-cognizable.

The new Act now implies that an offender can be arrested without a warrant. One can also lodge an FIR regarding the defacement of property with the police station concerned.

The offence would invite a fine of Rs 50,000 and one-year’s imprisonment or both.

The Act says whoever defaces a property in public view by writing or marking with ink, chalk, paint or any other material except for the purpose of indicating the name and address of the owner or occupier of such property, shall be punished.