2 hrs ago
Delhi High Court Warns of Harsher Action Before DUSU Polls
The Delhi University student elections were about to happen when the High Court noticed serious rule-breaking.
The alleged problems included cars without number plates, violence and damage to college property.
Some campaign groups also reportedly blocked roads with groups of vehicles.
The court said the university, police and students had not done enough to stop these problems.
It warned that the election could be delayed or stopped if the situation did not improve.
A lawyer had brought photographs and other allegations to the court.
The Centre agreed that the reported behavior was very serious.
The court asked officials to explain what action they had taken before deciding what to do next.
The Delhi High Court warned it could issue harsher orders, including staying the DUSU election, over alleged violations.
An application cited unregistered campaign vehicles, violence, campus defacement and cavalcades blocking public roads.
The court criticized the University of Delhi, Delhi Police and students for failing to ensure orderly elections.
The Centre acknowledged the reported conduct was “abominable” and “reprehensible,” while describing the North Campus as “porous.”
The court sought status reports on action taken and said further directions would depend on those reports.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the University of Delhi, Delhi Police, the Centre, students and DUSU candidates.
- What
- The court reviewed alleged violations of election rules and warned it could issue harsher orders, potentially including staying the election.
- Where
- The University of Delhi, particularly its North Campus, and surrounding public roads in Delhi.
- When
- Hours before students were due to vote on Friday; status reports were sought by Friday afternoon, with further directions expected on September 18.
- Why
- An application alleged violations of the model code of conduct, Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, and court orders, including violence, defacement and unlawful campaigning.
Court and Applicant’s View
Authorities’ Position
Responsibility for violations
Court and Applicant’s View
The applicant and court argued that the authorities, students and other responsible groups had failed to ensure orderly elections and prevent serious violations.
Authorities’ Position
The Centre and University of Delhi were questioned about enforcement failures; Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said the North Campus was “porous” and that third parties were intervening.
Possible election action
Court and Applicant’s View
The court warned that drastic measures, including staying or postponing the election, might be necessary if violations were not addressed.
Authorities’ Position
The court had not stayed or postponed the election at the time of the hearing and instead requested status reports before deciding on further directions.
Key facts
- Election
- Delhi University Students’ Union election scheduled for Friday
- Court
- Division bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
- Alleged violations
- Vehicles without registration numbers or number plates, violence, campus defacement and road-blocking cavalcades
- Authorities questioned
- University of Delhi, Delhi Police and the Centre
- Court warning
- The election could be stayed or other harsher orders issued if officials’ reports were unsatisfactory
- Immediate requirement
- Authorities were ordered to submit status reports on action taken by Friday afternoon
- Government response
- Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma called the cited conduct “abominable” and “reprehensible”
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench
The division bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.
“Though we are not staying or postponing the election, but if we are not satisfied by the status report we can pass harsher orders. We feel unless drastic orders are passed no one is going to come to terms, and it is very sad.”
indianexpress.com
“there appears to be a complete failure from authorities, students, and other responsible sections of society to ensure smooth elections of DUSU.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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