Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Delhi High Court Warns Over DUSU Violence, Results
The Delhi High Court is worried that campaigning for the university election became violent and disorderly.
Reports mentioned fights, damaged property, vehicles without number plates and alleged weapons.
The court said elections must not turn into criminal activity.
It asked university and police officials to explain what they had done.
Voting was still allowed to happen on September 18.
However, the court said it could stop the vote counting or delay the results.
Police reported arrests, cases, traffic tickets and vehicles being seized.
The court also banned victory processions and asked candidates and student groups to explain the alleged violations.
The Delhi High Court condemned alleged violence, vandalism, weapons displays and unruly conduct during DUSU campaigning.
The court ordered Delhi University and Delhi Police, and one report also says the Delhi government, to submit action-taken reports.
Voting was allowed to proceed on September 18, but the court warned it could halt counting or delay results if dissatisfied.
Authorities reported six FIRs, four arrests, 998 challans and about 49 vehicles impounded over alleged violations.
The court barred victory processions and issued show-cause notices to all 140 candidates and student organisations over possible collective electoral damages.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, Delhi University, Delhi Police, student organisations, candidates and lawyer Prashant Manchanda are central to the proceedings.
- What
- The court warned of stopping DUSU vote counting or delaying results over alleged campaign violence, vandalism and election-rule violations.
- When
- The warnings were issued on Thursday and Friday around the September 18 election; results were scheduled for September 19.
- Where
- Delhi University, especially North Campus and the area around the Law Centre.
- Why
- The court said campaign conduct appeared to involve violence, property defacement, outsiders, vehicle violations and possible breaches of election guidelines.
Court and Petitioners’ Concerns
Authorities’ Response
Severity of campaign violations
Court and Petitioners’ Concerns
The court and petitioner Prashant Manchanda described the material as showing serious violence, vandalism, alleged weapons displays, outsiders, unregistered vehicles and attacks on students and teachers.
Authorities’ Response
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma called the conduct reprehensible and said those responsible would face action; he said an FIR had been registered.
Authorities’ performance
Court and Petitioners’ Concerns
The court said the material indicated an almost complete failure by authorities and students to ensure smooth elections despite repeated assurances and earlier directions.
Authorities’ Response
The Centre’s counsel said North Campus was porous but maintained that this year’s election process was 85–90% better than the previous year.
Whether elections should continue
Court and Petitioners’ Concerns
The court warned that it could stop counting, delay results or take stronger action, including postponing elections, if the reports were unsatisfactory.
Authorities’ Response
The authorities urged that the elections should not be called off shortly before voting, and the court allowed voting to proceed while awaiting action-taken reports.
- Court warning
- The bench said democracy could not be converted into a criminal society and called the alleged conduct unacceptable.
- Election status
- The court did not initially stay voting scheduled for September 18, but warned that harsher orders could follow.
- Possible consequences
- The court could stop counting, postpone the results or, if necessary, postpone or cancel the elections.
- Authorities’ reported action
- The police reported 998 challans, about 49 vehicles impounded, six FIRs and four arrests.
- Candidates and sanctions
- Show-cause notices were issued to all 140 candidates and student organisations over possible collective electoral damages.
- Election posts
- The contest covers president, vice president, secretary and joint secretary.
- Main organisations
- The reported contestants include ABVP, NSUI and the AISA-SFI Left alliance.
- Victory celebrations
- The court barred victory processions after the results.
Sources
'Unacceptable At Any Cost': Delhi HC Warns Student Unions Over Violence During DUSU Campaign
Delhi High Court raps DU, police on violations ahead of DUSU election
Delhi High Court Warns Of Postponing Delhi University Student Union Poll Results Over Violence
'Democracy Cannot Be Converted Into A Criminal Society': Delhi HC Warns Over DUSU Violence, May Halt Vote Counting
DUSU polls: Delhi High Court threatens counting stay over violence, Kanhaiya Kumar alleges NSUI harassment