Delhi High Court directs preservation of EVMs after NSUI alleges tampering in DUSU elections, raising concerns over electoral integrity and transparency in ABVP’s Aryan Maan victory.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections have hit a legal issue as the Delhi High Court intervenes following allegations of tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The controversy surrounds the election of Aryan Maan of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) as DUSU President.
NSUI Challenges DUSU Election Results
The petition was filed by NSUI leaders Ronak Khatri (former DUSU President) and Joslyn Nandita Choudhary, who contested the President’s post this year. They have sought the quashing of the election held on September 18, citing that EVMs were allegedly tampered with blue ink markings to influence voters in favor of the ABVP candidate.
In their plea, the NSUI leaders stated that the alleged tampering undermines the neutrality, transparency, and legitimacy of the electoral process. Despite reporting the issue to Election/Returning Officers and university officials, they claim the authorities failed to preserve the tainted EVMs or halt the polling process, allowing a compromised election to proceed.
Delhi High Court Observation
Justice Mini Pushkarna directed the Chief Electoral Commissioner appointed by Delhi University to safeguard all EVMs, paper trails, and election-related documentation under lock and key. The Court has also issued notice to Delhi University on the petition filed by the NSUI leaders.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for December 16.
University’s Response
Advocate Mohinder Rupal, representing Delhi University, rejected the tampering allegations. He noted that the colleges where the irregularities were alleged had not been made parties to the case, and even the winning candidate was not impleaded as a respondent.
Related Developments in DUSU Elections
The Court also took note of rule violations during the poll process. A Bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela had last week issued notices to certain erring candidates, including the newly elected ABVP President and Secretary, for breaching election rules. This came despite the Court’s express order banning victory processions, highlighting ongoing electoral irregularities.
Case Title:
Ronak Khatri & Anr vs University of Delhi