New Delhi : The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned the Delhi Police and Delhi University over alleged violations during the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections. The court referred to photographs showing groups of 10–20 cars, some carrying photographs of candidates, along with people standing on vehicle bonnets and rooftops.
The court said such cavalcades could create a sense of “fear, terror, hegemony” among candidates and students and asked police what deterrent action had been taken. A Delhi High Court bench on Wednesday heard an application filed by lawyer Prashant Manchanda seeking action against DUSU election candidates accused of defacing public property, in a petition originally filed in 2017.
The DUSU elections are scheduled for September 18, with the results expected on September 19. The court did not stay or postpone the elections but directed Delhi University and Delhi Police to file status reports by Thursday detailing the action taken over the reported incidents. The court warned that it could pass a stricter order, including stopping the counting of votes and postponing the results, if it was not satisfied with the reports.
The Additional Solicitor General told the court that 998 challans had been issued, while 30 cars had been impounded. The hearing also recorded 547 challans for driving without a licence and 49 vehicles impounded. The police said six FIRs had been registered, four people arrested and one student rusticated. Notices were also being issued to people visible in photographs. The ASG further informed the court that five more vehicles had been impounded. Some vehicles allegedly had no number plates, while others were more than 10 years old.
When asked whether the accused was a student or an outsider, the ASG said the person was a student and had been arrested along with three others. The court questioned the repeated reference to “outsiders” and asked what action university authorities had taken against those involved. Delhi University’s counsel said show-cause notices had been issued. The ASG said notices had also been issued to candidates whose names were visible on vehicles.
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