HC directs Delhi varsity to start vote count after campus clean-up

The Delhi High Court has instructed Delhi University to begin the vote count for the recent Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections by November 26, provided all defaced university sites are cleaned and repainted within a week. This directive follows a plea regarding the defacement of public properties by student candidates during the election campaign.

The decision was issued by a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who emphasised that preserving the campus environment for future students is the responsibility of current candidates and students. “The university property belongs to the public, held in trust for future generations,” the court noted, adding that its intent was to reform rather than punish the young candidates.

The court was responding to a petition filed by advocate Prashant Manchanda, who sought action against defacement and restoration of affected areas. Manchanda had recently filed an application concerning fresh incidents of defacement during the DUSU election campaign, leading the court in September to halt the vote count until the campus sites were cleaned.

During Monday’s hearing, the court reviewed an affidavit by the Chief Election Officer of the 2024-25 DUSU polls, which reported the formation of a defacement assessment committee to evaluate damages and establish accountability. The university’s counsel also presented a status report indicating that nearly all campuses and departments have been cleaned, with no visible signs of defacement remaining.

However, Manchanda pointed out that some posters, graffiti, and spray-painted messages were still visible near campus areas. The student representatives assured the court that any remaining defacement would be addressed within a week, and the candidates submitted an affidavit detailing their participation in a campus cleanup drive.

The High Court ordered Delhi University to verify the cleanup and submit a report, along with documentation from the candidates, within 10 days. “This court hopes that a clear message has gone to the student community...and that future candidates understand the importance of preserving the university’s infrastructure,” the Bench stated, closing the application.

The court also noted its belief in giving young candidates a second chance, expressing hope that the proceedings would help instil a sense of accountability and community responsibility among them.