Violations Will Amount to Contempt, Delhi High Court Warns DUSU Candidates

The Delhi High Court on Monday cautioned candidates contesting the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, orally observing that any violation of its directions would be treated as contempt of court.

A division bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela stressed that the role of student organisations would be crucial and directed office bearers to ensure that their candidates follow the rules.

“The role of student organisations will be crucial. Office bearers must instruct candidates accordingly. Students must pay heed to the Court’s order, as the concern is of the entire population of Delhi. We sincerely observe that there should be no violation till the elections are over. We issue a word of caution that any violation will be treated as contempt of this Court,” the Bench said.

Court was hearing a fresh plea by advocate Prashant Manchanda, highlighting the failure of authorities to check violations of the Lyngdoh Committee norms and other rules. The plea, filed in a 2017 PIL, sought measures against defacement and damage to public premises by DUSU candidates during elections.

During the hearing, counsel for Delhi Police as well as Delhi University told the Bench that there had been no violations or defacement. In its previous hearing, the court had asked both institutions to file affidavits on compliance. These affidavits were submitted on Monday.

Unimpressed, the court questioned the authorities about flagrant violations despite earlier orders. “Does the police need a court order? What have you people been doing since the beginning?” the Bench asked.

Advocate Manchanda, appearing in person, presented photographs and videos to show alleged defacement and the use of muscle power during campaigning. He told the court that candidates were “bringing JCBs and deploying as many as 200 bouncers.” He further argued, “Freedom of candidates cannot be converted into laundering. The court had previously said don’t use money and muscle power. Now they are using tractors. Soon there will be hoards of cars standing outside colleges. This has a huge impact.

Manchanda added, "Every candidate is spending crores of rupees. There is a gentleman, Aryan Maan, whose Bentley and Range Rover are moving around the campus. Even the learned Chief Justice had previously said the entire electoral process has been hijacked by money and muscle power.”

The police, however, submitted that personnel had been mobilised and adequate steps were being taken. The University also informed the court that various measures had already been implemented.

Recording its directions, the Bench noted, “Pursuant to our order of 10 September 2025, an Action Taken Report has been submitted by the Delhi Traffic Police, which is taken on record. On behalf of Delhi Police, an affidavit of compliance has been filed. DUSU has also filed an affidavit with certain documents, mostly photographs, by the petitioner who appears in person. We had already expressed concern in our earlier order about the flagrant violation of the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines and the Code of Conduct for DUSU elections 2025-26.”

Last year too, the High Court had pulled up students contesting the DUSU elections for widespread defacement across the city. A Bench led by then Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Gedela had directed candidates to file undertakings against defacement and mutilation of public property. The court had even halted the counting and release of results until the walls defaced with posters were cleaned and repainted.

The DUSU elections have often come under the scrutiny of the court, which has consistently issued orders to ensure that the polls are held in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee’s directions. 

The present matter has now been listed for hearing on Tuesday.

Case Title: Prashant Manchanda v. Union of India & Ors

Hearing Date: 15 September

Bench: Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.