New Delhi, 17 September (H.S.): The violence that took place on the final day of campaigning for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections has reached the Delhi High Court. On Thursday, an advocate mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya, stating that the DUSU elections are scheduled for September 18 and that extensive vandalism had taken place on September 16. The advocate sought an urgent hearing on the matter on Thursday itself. The High Court subsequently directed that the case be heard today.

On September 16, supporters of two student organisations allegedly engaged in extensive vandalism during the DUSU election campaign. September 16 was the final day of campaigning, while the DUSU elections are scheduled to be held on September 18.

Also on September 16, while hearing a related matter, the High Court observed that a candidate in the Delhi University Students’ Union elections cannot be disqualified merely because the candidate is a member of the student wing of a political party. The court made the observation while disposing of a petition alleging violations of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations governing DUSU elections.

The petition had alleged that the university had failed to comply with Supreme Court directions stipulating that student elections should remain free from the influence of political parties. It further alleged that organisations including NSUI, ABVP, ASAP, SFI and AISA had issued panels and announced their candidates for the DUSU elections. The petition contended that such political backing in DUSU elections amounted to a violation of the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar