New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday (November 11) allowed counting of votes for the recently-held Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) on or before November 26 if the Delhi University (DU) is satisfied that all defacement done by candidates during the DUSU elections have been cleaned by students.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela earlier on September 26 had stayed the counting of votes of the DUDU while expressing its shock at large-scale defacement and destruction of the university as well as other public properties.
Intent of proceedings was to reform and not punish the students: High Court
The bench said that although most colleges and faculties in the north and south campuses of the university were cleaned up by the candidates, photographs showed properties close to the campus with posters and graffiti.
The counsel appearing for the candidates assured the bench that remaining properties would be cleaned.
“The matter is closed with a direction to the Delhi University to undertake the counting process on or before November 26 if it is satisfied that the (remaining) sites.. are cleaned,” the bench said on Monday while underscoring that the intent of the proceedings was to reform and not punish the students.
High Court earlier directed several candidates to appear before it
The High Court had earlier on October 28 continued it stay on counting of votes for the DUSU polls, which took place on September 27, and had directed several candidates who contested the students’ body polls to remove posters, banners, graffiti, hoardings, spray paints from the entire campus of the university and other places of the city. The bench had also directed several candidates, who appeared before it in pursuance to last order, to file a fresh affidavit and give an undertaking that they will not deface public property in future and had posted the matter for further hearing on November 11.
High Court had stayed counting of votes scheduled to take place on September 28
The High Court had stayed the counting of votes, which was scheduled to take place on September 28, while hearing a plea seeking action against the DUSU candidates and student organisations allegedly involved in damaging, defacing, soiling and destroying public walls.
