THE PUNJAB PROHIBITION OF EXPRESSING MATTERS ON WALLS ACT, 1995 (II of 1995) CONTENTS 1. Short title, extent and commencement 2. Prohibition of expressing matters on Walls 2A. Cognizance and summary trial 3. Removal of existing expressions on walls 4. Power to make rules TEXT THE PUNJAB PROHIBITION OF EXPRESSINIG MATTERS ON WALLS ACT, 1995 (II of 1995) [13th February, 1995] An Act to prohibit expression of matters on walls in the Punjab. Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to prohibit the expression of matters on the walls in the Punjab. It is hereby enacted as follows:– 1. Short title , extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be called the Punjab Prohibition of Expressing Matters on Walls Act, 1995. (2) It shall extend to the whole of the Province of the Punjab. (3) It shall come into force at once. 2. Prohibition of expressing matters on Walls.– Whoever affixes or causes to be affixed any poster , bill, notice, placard or other paper or means of advertisement on a wall or writes on any wall with chalk or paint or in any other manner whatsoever or expresses or describes any matter on any wall in any manner whatsoever with the intention to attract public attention to that matter shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with 1 [fine which shall not be less than twenty five thousand rupees or more than one hundred thousand rupees] or with both. Exception.– It sha ll not be an offence under this Section, if the owner or possessor of the wall expresses any particular relating to himself or his business thereon. 2 [2A. Cognizance and summary trial .– (1) An offence under this Act shall be cognizable and non-bailable. (2) A Magistrate of the first class shall conduct the trial of an offence under this Act in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898) relating to the summary trials.] 3. Removal of existing expressions on walls. – Within a period of thirty days from the commencement of this Act every Local Council shall cause to be removed 1Substituted for the words and figures “fine which may extend to Rs.5,000/-” by the Punjab Prohibition of Expressing Matters on Walls (Amendment) Act 2015 (XIX of 2015), w.e.f.18.3.2015, s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 3423-3424. 2Inserted by the Punjab Prohibition of Expressing Matters on Walls (Amendment) Act 2015 (XIX of 2015), w.e.f.18.3.2015, s.3; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), pages 3423-3424. all matters expressed on the walls within its jurisdiction the expression of which is prohibited by this Act. 3 [4. Power to make rul es.– The Provincial Government may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.] 3Added by the Punjab Prohibition of Expressing Matters on Walls (Amendment) Act 1998 (X of 1998), w.e.f.1.12.1998, s.2; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), page 4213.