DUSU polls: Delhi HC pulls up varsity over violence, Lyngdoh violations; warns to stay counting

“Enough is enough,” the Delhi High Court said on Thursday, September 17, while hearing concerns over violence and violations during the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election campaign.

The court also pulled up Delhi University over reports of teachers being assaulted, vehicles being used without registration plates and other violations during the campaign.

“You are thrashing your own teachers in the name of being creative. Brandishing guns. Or you (DU) simply say you cannot control anything. We will abandon the elections. You cannot shirk away from your responsibility to conduct elections,” the court said.

The court , however, did not stop polling scheduled for Friday, September 18. The polling is currently underway across DU colleges.

The origin of DUSU: From a 1947 proposal to a campus political force

The court warned that if it was not satisfied with the action taken by Delhi University, the Centre and Delhi Police, it could pass a harsher order, including staying the counting of votes and declaration of results.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed DU, the Centre and Delhi Police to file status reports on the action taken against those responsible for the violations. The matter will be heard again on Friday, with representatives of student unions also directed to remain present.

What the court flagged

The court was hearing an application in a 2017 petition filed by lawyer Prashant Manchanda, which has repeatedly dealt with the defacement of public property and compliance with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations during DUSU elections.

The bench took note of reports and material showing alleged violence, vandalism and other violations during this year's campaign. It also questioned the use of vehicles without registration plates carrying candidates' names and said such conduct was inconsistent with earlier directions issued to ensure orderly elections.

Delhi University teacher attacked during DUSU campaigning; clashes reported across campus

The court said there had been repeated violations of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and previous judicial orders. It observed that student unions are supposed to be “nurseries of democracy” and said the manner in which the elections were being conducted was unacceptable.

The bench also questioned DU and the police over their response to the violations. The Centre's counsel told the court that the elections had been conducted in a largely peaceful manner, with order maintained in 80-90 per cent of cases.

The court, however, asked what action had been taken against those responsible for the violations and questioned why outsiders could not be prevented from interfering in the election process.

Violence reported during final day of campaign

The court's remarks came a day after clashes were reported at several locations on the final day of campaigning on September 16.

At North Campus, a clash was reported outside Law Centre-I following an argument over campaign banners. ABVP alleged that three of its members were injured, while NSUI denied having any role in the incident. Videos circulating online showed students fighting and damaged vehicles, although the videos did not independently establish how the clash began.

At Motilal Nehru College (Evening), faculty members protested after a student campaigner allegedly assaulted a teacher. Teachers demanded action and threatened to boycott election-related duties.

Delhi University sets stage for DUSU elections; voting on Sept 18

The incidents came amid other reported clashes and altercations at DU colleges during the final day of campaigning.

The DUSU elections for the 2026-27 academic year are being held on Friday, September 18. More than 1.51 lakh students are eligible to vote for the four central posts; president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary. Counting is scheduled for Saturday, September 19.

Court had halted DUSU counting in 2024

The High Court's warning also comes against the backdrop of repeated judicial intervention in DUSU elections.

In September 2024, the Delhi High Court allowed polling to go ahead but ordered that counting would not take place until campaign posters, graffiti, hoardings and spray paint were removed, vandalised public property was restored, and losses suffered by civic agencies and other authorities were addressed. The court had then observed that there was prima facie extensive use of money and muscle power in the elections.

Counting was eventually allowed in November 2024 after the court was informed that most of the defacement had been removed. DU also constituted a DUSU Election Reforms Committee, whose recommendations included stricter action against defacement, greater monitoring of election campaigns and measures to prevent outsiders from entering campuses.