2 hrs ago
Delhi High Court Warns DUSU Vote Counting Could Be Stayed
Delhi University students are scheduled to vote in their student-union election on Friday.
The votes are supposed to be counted on September 19.
The Delhi High Court said reports of violence and disorder during campaigning were very serious.
It warned that counting and announcing the results could be stopped if the authorities do not act.
The court asked Delhi Police and Delhi University to submit reports.
A lawyer alleged that outsiders, vandalism, beatings and weapons were involved in some incidents.
Kanhaiya Kumar said NSUI workers were being treated unfairly while ABVP was allowed to break campaign rules.
Government lawyers said an FIR had been filed, arrests would be made and the election should continue.
The Delhi High Court warned it could stay counting and result declarations if authorities fail to control alleged violence and disorder.
DUSU voting is scheduled for Friday, with vote counting set for September 19; campaigning ended Wednesday.
The court cited allegations of beatings, vandalism, outsiders, vehicles without number plates and possible weapons during campaigning.
Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar accused Delhi University and police of selectively harassing NSUI workers while allowing ABVP to breach campaign rules.
The Centre said an FIR had been registered and arrests would follow, while arguing the election should not be cancelled shortly before polling.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, Delhi University, Delhi Police, student organisations, and DUSU candidates and workers are involved; Kanhaiya Kumar also made allegations concerning NSUI workers.
- What
- The court warned that it could stay the counting and declaration of DUSU election results because of alleged violence and campaign-rule violations.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Delhi University, particularly its North Campus.
- When
- The warning was issued on Thursday; voting is scheduled for Friday, counting for September 19, and campaigning ended Wednesday.
- Why
- The court cited alleged violence, unruly conduct, vandalism, outsiders, vehicles without number plates and other violations of election rules.
Court and Authorities
NSUI and Congress Allegations
Responsibility for disorder
Court and Authorities
The court said students, Delhi University and police bore responsibility for alleged reckless and criminal conduct and demanded action and status reports.
NSUI and Congress Allegations
Kanhaiya Kumar alleged that Delhi University and police were selectively harassing NSUI workers while failing to stop ABVP from violating campaign rules.
Whether the election should proceed
Court and Authorities
The court warned that it could stay counting and result declarations if the situation was not controlled.
NSUI and Congress Allegations
The Centre argued that DUSU elections should not be called off hours before polling and said this year's process was 85-90 percent better than last year's.
Security and campaign conduct
Court and Authorities
The court said material before it showed alleged beatings, outsiders, vandalism, cars without number plates and other serious violations.
NSUI and Congress Allegations
The Centre and Delhi University said action would be taken against those responsible, while the Centre reported that an FIR had already been registered.
Key facts
- Election
- DUSU student-union polls
- Voting
- Scheduled for Friday
- Counting
- Scheduled for September 19
- Campaigning
- Ended Wednesday
- Court warning
- Counting and result declarations could be stayed
- Authorities' response
- Delhi Police said an FIR was registered and arrests would be made
- Rules cited
- Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and High Court and Supreme Court orders
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
The High Court bench hearing the matter concerning DUSU election conduct.
“No excuses will be accepted by the court. We are making it very clear that though we are not staying the election or postponing the election, if we are not satisfied by your action, tomorrow we can pass harsher orders, including staying the counting and declaration of results.”
telegraphindia.com
“Message is very clear. We are more than conscious that we are a democratic society but we are also conscious that democracy can't be permitted into a criminal society”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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