Delhi High Court warns DUSU election candidates to strictly follow rules. Any violation during Delhi University elections 2025 will be treated as contempt of court, ensuring fair student polls.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has issued a warning to candidates contesting the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections 2025-26, cautioning that any violation of its directions would be treated as contempt of court. This comes amid rising concerns over the misuse of money and muscle power during campus elections.
Court’s Observation
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela emphasized the importance of student organisations in ensuring a fair electoral process. The court directed office bearers to instruct their candidates to strictly 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… Any violation will be treated as contempt of this Court,” the Bench said.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by Advocate Prashant Manchanda, originally part of a 2017 PIL, highlighting repeated violations of Lyngdoh Committee norms and other electoral rules. The petition sought measures against defacement of public property and other malpractices during elections.
Allegations of Money and Muscle Power
During the hearing, Advocate Manchanda presented photographs and videos allegedly showing the use of tractors, bouncers, and even heavy vehicles like JCBs by candidates during campaigning.
He warned:
“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 further claimed that candidates were spending crores of rupees on their campaigns, citing one candidate, Aryan Maan, allegedly moving around the campus in a Bentley and Range Rover.
Police and University Submissions
The Delhi Police informed the court that personnel had been deployed and adequate measures were being taken to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, Delhi University submitted that various steps had been implemented to prevent violations.
Despite these submissions, the court expressed concern about the flagrant violations of the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines and the Code of Conduct for DUSU elections 2025-26.
This is not the first time the Delhi High Court has intervened in DUSU elections. Last year, the court had halted the counting and release of results until walls defaced with posters were cleaned. Candidates were also asked to file undertakings against defacement and damage to public property.
The court continues to monitor the elections closely to ensure that the polling process remains free, fair, and in line with the Lyngdoh Committee directions.
The matter is now listed for further hearing on Tuesday, and the court is expected to review compliance and assess any ongoing violations.
Case Title:
Prashant Manchanda v. Union of India & Ors
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