New Delhi, 18 September (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has prohibited the holding of victory processions of any kind following the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections. A bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya has issued notices to all student organisations and candidates, seeking to know why action should not be taken for alleged violations of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

The High Court had taken a strict view of the violence reported on September 17, the final day of campaigning, observing that democracy cannot be allowed to degenerate into a criminalised society. During the hearing, the court questioned the Delhi Police and Delhi University in strong terms over the incident of September 16, asking why no FIR had been registered and why no arrests had been made.

The court said, “Enough is enough,” and made it clear that such criminal behaviour could not be tolerated. It also observed that similar incidents have been occurring during student union elections year after year.

During the hearing, petitioner Prashant Manchanda submitted that the High Court had issued certain guidelines in 2025, but despite those directions, violence, physical assaults and vandalism allegedly took place on September 16. He claimed that unruly elements had taken control of the North Campus, following which some professors and students suggested approaching the High Court.

Manchanda described September 16 as one of the darkest days in the history of DUSU elections. He alleged that some law students were assaulted because they were taking photographs and claimed that the alleged troublemakers were outsiders carrying sticks.

The court told Delhi University that it would have to consider whether the elections should be cancelled or postponed. Student organisations are also parties to the petition and will appear before the court once notices are formally issued.

The court further observed that even if the administration had acted irresponsibly, students were expected to behave responsibly. It said that it would not permit incidents involving attacks on teachers or the display of firearms. The court told Delhi University that if it was unable to control the situation, the elections could be cancelled.

Chief Justice Upadhyaya also expressed concern over the recurring nature of such incidents, noting that his own daughter and niece study at the university and asking what would happen to them if such incidents continued.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma agreed with the concerns raised by the High Court and said that those responsible should face action. He said the model code of conduct had come into force on August 13 and that no campaigning had taken place after 5 p.m. on September 16. He also stated that the university campus was completely peaceful thereafter.

The court, however, questioned what action would be taken regarding the incidents that had occurred before the campaign deadline. Sharma assured the court that action would be taken against those responsible. The court then asked whether the alleged conduct constituted a violation of the model code of conduct and what consequences would follow if the code had indeed been breached.

On September 16, the final day of campaigning for the DUSU elections, workers associated with two student organisations were allegedly involved in incidents of vandalism on the campus.

Also on September 16, while hearing a related matter, the High Court had observed that a candidate contesting the Delhi University Students’ Union elections cannot be disqualified merely because he or she is a member of the student wing of a political party.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar