New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday (October 21) impleaded several candidates who contested the recently-held Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) as parties to proceedings in an alleged case of defacement of public property and asked them to appear before it and explain their conduct.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while hearing a plea seeking action against the DUSU candidates and student organisations involved in allegedly damaging, defacing, soiling and destroying public walls, asked the candidates to appear before it on October 28.
What did the petitioner say?
The petitioner had submitted that due to the DUSU election for 2024-25, public properties across all quarters of Delhi have been defaced in blatant violation of not only the applicable civil and penal provisions, JM Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines and undertakings given by the aspiring candidates, but also in direct contravention of the orders of the High Court.
High Court on September 26 halted counting of votes
The counting of the votes, which was scheduled to take place on September 28, for the DUSU election, which was held on September 27, has been halted by the High Court till the removal of all the defacement material and restoration of public property.
High Court earlier expressed shock at defacement of public property, expenditure being incurred in DUSU elections
The High Court, while hearing the matter earlier had expressed shock at defacement of public property and expenditure being incurred in the DUSU elections. The High Court also expressed its displeasure on failure by the authorities concerned to stop widespread defacement of public property allegedly by the candidates contesting the DUSU elections and student organisations.
There has been extensive use of money, muscle power in DUSU, college elections contrary to Lyngdoh Committee guidelines: HC
“This Court is of the prima facie view that there has been extensive use of money and muscle power in DUSU and college elections contrary to Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines. This Court is of the opinion that elections, which are supposed to be a festival of democracy, have been converted into a festival of money laundering and defacement of public property. In some respects, it reflects the failure of the education system,” the High Court had said and added that the officials of Delhi University and colleges have neglected to enforce the Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines and perform their duties.
The High Court, while halting the counting of votes of DUSU and college elections in its order on September 26, said, “Though the voting in the DUSU and college elections be held tomorrow (September 27), yet the counting of votes for either DUSU elections or the college elections shall not take place till this court is satisfied that the posters/graffiti/hoardings/spray paint are removed, the vandalized public properties are restored and the losses suffered by civic agencies, government departments and DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) due to defacement are made good by the erring candidates.”
