New Delhi, 30 September (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the recently declared results of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections. A bench headed by Justice Saurabh Banerjee observed that posing for photographs with candidates after the declaration of election results does not amount to campaigning or indicate bias.

The petition was filed by Vijay Shankar Meena, a candidate of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). He alleged irregularities and bias on the part of college professors, administrators and election officials. In his petition, Meena submitted photographs and videos purportedly showing professors from some Delhi University colleges and election officials celebrating the victories of candidates from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

During the hearing, the court observed that if someone comes forward to have a photograph taken with a candidate, it does not necessarily mean that the person is campaigning. The court questioned what difference such photographs would make after the election, noting that such conduct would be impermissible before the election.

The court further observed that the material submitted did not specify a date or time. Regarding the video link, the court noted that the petitioner himself had accepted that the footage was recorded after the election. The court said that conduct after the election would not affect the electoral process and stressed that the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations require supporting evidence.

However, the High Court directed Delhi University to consider and decide at the earliest the representation submitted by Meena raising his concerns regarding the election.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar