DUSU polls: HC bans victory processions, warns of exemplary costs for hooliganism

The Delhi High Court on Friday barred victory processions, drums and similar celebrations on Delhi University campuses and in hostels after the DUSU election results, while coming down heavily on alleged hooliganism during the election campaign.

The court said victory celebrations could not be allowed to turn into another occasion for disorder, amid allegations of violence, vandalism and violations of the DUSU election code. The High Court remarked that this happens year after year; nothing has changed. A student slapping a teacher after winning! Who could imagine such a thing? “Victory should make you humble,” Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya observed during the hearing.

The bench also questioned Delhi Police and Delhi University over large car cavalcades and vehicles without number plates being allowed around the campus during campaigning. It was shown photographs of groups of 10–20 cars, some carrying photographs of candidates, with people allegedly standing on vehicle bonnets and rooftops.

“People standing on bonnet and rooftops — what else is hooliganism?” the court asked, questioning why such violations were not stopped despite being visible.

The court said such cavalcades could create a sense of “fear, terror, hegemony” among students and candidates and sought details from the police on the deterrent action taken.

During the proceedings, the Court was shown a photograph of a student brandishing a gun and expressed displeasure, questioning how such individuals could be considered students when they openly display weapons. The Court observed that such people are depriving genuine students of opportunities.

The High Court reiterated that Delhi University and other authorities must take all necessary actions and measures to ensure there is no violation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations or any orders issued from time to time. Authorities, including the MCD, must also ensure that no damage is caused to public property; the concerned agency is to take immediate action if any violation is detected.

The court has also issued show-cause notices to all student organisations contesting the student union elections and to all 140 candidates. It has sought responses from all parties within two weeks and fixed the matter for hearing on November 6.

'DON'T HESITATE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST STUDENTS'

The High Court further directed the Delhi Police and DU authorities to take preventive measures.

The High Court stated that the Delhi Police should not hesitate to take action against these individuals simply because they are students; they are not merely students. And I do not know what the student organisations are doing either.

During the hearing, the bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia warned the administration and the police that if the court was not satisfied with the police's actions, it would halt the vote counting and the declaration of results. The Court remarked, "A democracy cannot be turned into a criminal society."

998 CHALLANS, 49 VEHICLES IMPOUNDED

During Friday’s hearing, the Additional Solicitor General informed the court about the action taken by Delhi Police against traffic and other violations.

The Court asked the police, "Such convoys of vehicles create an atmosphere of fear, terror, and intimidation. What steps did you take to stop them? Candidates were standing on the roofs and bonnets of cars—what is this if not hooliganism?"

ASG Chetan Sharma informed the Court that 998 challans had been issued and 49 vehicles impounded. Show-cause notices have been served to the individuals visible in the videos, and their vehicle registration certificates (RCs) will be impounded. Six FIRs have been registered, and four arrests made. Regarding traffic violations, 5,737 challans have been issued to those driving without licenses.

Notices were also being issued to people identified from photographs.

The ASG further informed the court that five more vehicles had been impounded. Some allegedly had no number plates, while others were more than 10 years old.

The court questioned why such violations were not detected earlier, asking whether checking vehicles was not part of the police’s duty.

PETITION ORIGINALLY FILED IN 2017

The proceedings stem from a petition filed by lawyer Prashant Manchanda in 2017 seeking action against candidates involved in defacement of public property. A fresh application in the matter brought the alleged violations during the 2026-27 DUSU elections before the court.

During Thursday’s hearing, the division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Teja Karia had pulled up the Centre, Delhi University and Delhi Police over alleged violence, vandalism and other violations during the election campaign.

The court said it was “unacceptable at any cost” to allow student elections to descend into the kind of scenes reflected in the material placed before it. It warned that it could stop the counting of votes or postpone the declaration of results if it was not satisfied with the action taken by the authorities.

“The court will not accept any excuse. We are not staying or postponing the elections, but if we are not satisfied with the report, we can pass a harsher order, including stopping the counting and postponing the result. If you are unable to control the situation, we know how to get it done,” the court said.

'WHAT ABOUT THE TEACHER ASSAULT?'

The bench also questioned authorities about the alleged assault on a teacher during the campaign.

When asked whether the accused was a student or an outsider, the ASG said the person was a student and had been arrested along with three others.

The court questioned the repeated reference to “outsiders” and asked what action university authorities had taken against those involved.

Delhi University’s counsel said show-cause notices had been issued. The ASG said notices had also been issued to candidates whose names were visible on vehicles shown in the photographs.

The court said the incident involving the teacher was serious and that accountability had to follow.

COURT QUESTIONS REPEATED VIOLATIONS

The bench questioned why similar violations continue despite directions and show-cause notices being issued by Delhi University in previous years.

It also sought details of the candidates and student organisations involved and indicated that it could consider imposing collective or exemplary damages for violations of the election code.

The court also took note of geotagged photographs allegedly showing a candidate distributing pamphlets on polling day.

POLLING CONTINUES WITHOUT MAJOR DISRUPTION

The ASG told the court that around 25–30 per cent polling had taken place at the time of the hearing and that the Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner had described the process as “spotless."

The court also noted that there had been no wall defacement this year, a key concern under the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

Delhi University told the court that its grievance-redressal mechanism had received only one complaint so far, despite a voting strength of around 1.5 lakh students.

The DUSU elections are being conducted through electronic voting machines, with the results expected on Saturday.

The court has not stayed the election but has made clear that continued violations and inadequate enforcement could have consequences for the counting and declaration of results.