Clean up campaign mess, HC directs DUSU candidates
The Delhi High Court directed candidates participating in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections to submit an undertaking to refrain from defacing public property in the future and granted them additional time to clean up the campaign mess. The court has rescheduled the next hearing for November 11, resulting in further postponement of DUSU election results.
During the hearing on Monday, Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela emphasised the need for accountability among candidates. “The candidates are directed to file affidavits along with photographs clearly showing they have removed all posters, hoardings, banners and graffiti,” the Bench stated. They must also take steps to beautify both the north and south campuses of Delhi University, the court said.
The court took note of disturbing videos showing unnumbered cars blocking roads and one vehicle performing a ‘drag’ stunt during the campaign. “The Delhi University administration must realise its power under the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines during elections,” the judges remarked. These guidelines govern students’ union elections.
Acknowledging the candidates’ student status, the court opted not to pursue criminal charges but encouraged them to “join hands and get the campus cleaned.” The judges also interacted with several candidates present in the courtroom, urging them to set a positive example. “You don’t have the right to deface walls of the university or anyone’s private house,” the court stressed. “We want this generation not to take a wrong turn. We want them to improve.”
The court previously involved 16 candidates in the proceedings, all except one attended the hearing.
The judges expressed concern over the candidates’ actions, stating, “You seem to have a lot of funds at your disposal. Please get the university cleaned up.”
The court also remarked on the trend of students from the Buddhist Studies course participating in elections, hinting at the possible motivation beyond academics. “It seems students are joining this course only to contest elections,” the court noted.
The Delhi University counsel mentioned that the Vice-Chancellor had visited 30 colleges to monitor the clean-up progress. The court’s directives came in response to a petition by advocate Prashant Manchanda, who sought action against candidates for allegedly damaging public property during their campaigns. The vote counting, initially scheduled for September 28, was halted until the candidates restored the defaced public properties.
