The Delhi High Court seeks DU’s response over alleged DUSU victory processions, reiterating concerns over electoral violations and the use of money and muscle power.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, September 23, sought a response from Delhi University over allegations that candidates who won the 2026 Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections took out victory processions despite a court order prohibiting such celebrations.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing an application filed by advocate Prashant Manchanda, who alleged that victorious candidates violated the court’s directions following the declaration of DUSU election results on September 19. The bench issued notice to the University and observed that the matter would be treated seriously.
The court noted that all 140 candidates who contested the elections, including those who emerged victorious, had already been issued show-cause notices pursuant to its earlier directions. Manchanda was directed to compile all relevant evidence and include it in a dossier to be submitted before the court.
The proceedings follow the High Court’s September 18 directions, issued amid concerns over alleged violations of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, the DUSU Code of Conduct and other election-related norms. The court had specifically directed that candidates, students, supporters or any other persons should not organise victory processions after the results, either on Delhi’s roads or within university campuses and hostels.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the counsel representing one of the candidates submitted that post-election celebrations could be difficult to control and pointed out that even dhols had not been used this year. The court responded that drums were not the central concern. Instead, it highlighted what it described as the “show of muscle and money power” as the larger issue.
At the same time, the bench acknowledged one improvement in this year’s election process, noting that there had been no reported defacement of public property during the DUSU polls. The court, however, remarked that “much needs to be done.”
The High Court’s intervention comes amid continuing judicial scrutiny of DUSU elections. Earlier, the court had warned that violations of election rules could invite contempt proceedings and had considered the possibility of imposing electoral damages on candidates and student organisations. It had also directed Delhi Police and DU authorities to ensure compliance with its orders.
The matter is now set to proceed on the basis of the evidence compiled by the petitioner and the response submitted by Delhi University.
Read Also: HCSA on Dharna; Teachers and Students Confront Hindu College’s Administration
Image Credit : Satakshi for DU Beat
Bishakha Gogoi
Comments are closed.