DUSU poll vandalism: Delhi High Court warns of election deferral; slams excessive spending

“If they [candidates] can put up posters, they can pay for the removal also. They all have deep pockets, they can pay for it,” the Delhi High Court remarked

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (September 24, 2024) issued a stern warning to candidates contesting the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, expressing outrage over the rampant vandalism and defacement of public property across the city in the run-up to the polls on September 27.

A Bench of Chief Justice Designate Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, visibly upset by the extent of the damage, ordered authorities to take immediate action to stop the defacement, even suggesting that the election could be deferred if the situation is not rectified.

Also read | DUSU polls: HC orders action against students defacing public property

“Either you (DU) will defer the elections till everything gets cleaned up, or you disqualify them (candidate) and ask for new nominations to be filed. Or, you allow the election to take place on the date fixed, but publish the results until everything gets cleaned up,” the Bench orally remarked at the beginning of the hearing.

Expressing concern over the influence of money in student politics, the court added, “What is the point of having so much money power? It is corrupting students right at the inception. What is the use of having this election? It’s a festival of democracy, not a festival of laundering money. This is laundering of money which is taking place here.”

During the proceedings, the counsel for MCD and DMRC provided evidence of the widespread defacement, revealing that MCD had removed four truckloads of election material, including 16,000 boards, 7,000 hoardings, 2,00,000 pamphlets and posters, and 28,500 banners since September 13. Despite these efforts, the court noted, “It is apparent that defacement of public property is still on a large and wide scale.”

“If they (candidates) can put up posters, they can pay for the removal also. They all have deep pockets, they can pay for it,” the court remarked. “This is not some ordinary students fighting the election; this seems to be some organised groups doing it.”

The court even compared the current state of affairs to general elections. “Everything must be repainted, restored. Look at how much money has been spent here. It is worse than general elections,” the court observed. “How much spending is taking place in these elections? Is there some counting that is being done? Is there any audit being done? Must be a few crores that have been spent.”

Criticising the behavior of students involved, the court said, “At a place of learning, these students are behaving like illiterates. Look at the way they have pasted posters on the walls, and even on the roads. And Delhi University is doing nothing.”

Noting it as a serious issue, the court called for a meeting with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Police, and Delhi University authorities.

The court also questioned the excessive spending in the elections, saying, “You cannot allow crores to be spent like this, that too on a students’ election.”

Delhi University’s counsel requested the court to take up the case again tomorrow, indicating that the university is considering significant actions regarding the elections. In the meantime, the court directed Delhi Police to cooperate with Delhi University, MCD, and DMRC to prevent further defacement and ensure that all existing defacement is removed.

The court was hearing a petition by Prashant Manchanda, a practising advocate, who has called for action against those responsible for damaging classrooms, arguing that such acts not only deny citizens a clean and defacement-free environment but also deprive students of their right to education.

Published - September 25, 2024 01:47 pm IST