Delhi HC Pulls Up Delhi University Over Vandalism In DUSU Polls, Stays Counting Of Votes

The high court pulled up the Delhi University (DU) over candidates indulging in acts of vandalism and defacement of public properties while campaigning for elections. 

The high court ordered that the expenses incurred by the civic bodies shall be paid by the DU.

Source : PTI

The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the counting of votes for the ongoing Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections till the court is satisfied that posters, hoardings, spray paints and graffiti done by the candidates are removed and public properties are restored.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice designate Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed that no counting of votes shall take place till the high court is satisfied that the posters, spray paints and graffitis are removed and public properties are restored.

The high court pulled up the Delhi University (DU) over candidates indulging in acts of vandalism and defacement of public properties while campaigning for elections. 

Earlier, MCD had submitted in the high court that from September 13 to September 25th, the civic body removed over 16,000 boards, two lakh posters and pamphlets and 28,500 banners in total.

The high court ordered that the expenses incurred by the civic bodies shall be paid by the DU. However, the court said that the DU can recover the same from the respective candidates in accordance with the lyngdoh committee recommendations. 

The high court allowed the election process to proceed ahead, but said that no counting of votes shall take place either of the Delhi University elections or of the colleges till this court is satisfied that the posters, hoardings, graffitis, spraypaints are removed and the public properties are restored. 

The high court was dealing with petitions highlighting the violation of Lyngdoh Committee recommendations concerning the conduct of students' elections in universities. The pleas also sought action against the candidates indulging in the defacement of public properties while campaigning for polls.

Earlier on September 11, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi University (DU) vice-chancellor to decide on a representation seeking 50% reservation for women in the upcoming Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections within three weeks.

The high court was told that the reservation was needed to ensure gender equality in student elections. The plea sought a direction to the varsity to comply with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations of 2006.

The Lyngdoh Committee was led by former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh, and was constituted to draft guidelines on student elections across Indian higher education institutions. 

Many big names in Indian politics started their political career from the DUSU elections. Former Finance Minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley served as DUSU president from ABVP in 1974. Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Alka Lamba are among few of those big names that were part of DUSU.