Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 17: The Delhi High Court on Thursday warned that it could stop the counting of votes and defer the declaration of results of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections if it was not satisfied with reports on alleged violence and vandalism during campaigning.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed Delhi University and the Delhi Police to submit detailed status reports by Friday on the incidents and the action taken. The court, however, clarified that it was not staying or postponing the elections scheduled for Thursday.
The bench said allowing student elections to turn violent was unacceptable under any circumstances and questioned the authorities over their failure to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.
“No excuses will be accepted by the court. Though we are not staying or postponing the elections, if we are not satisfied with the status reports, we can pass harsher orders, including stopping the counting and postponing the result,” the court said.
“It is very, very sad. If you are unable to control the situation, we know how to get it done. This cannot be permitted. Do not take the issue lightly,” the bench added, describing the alleged conduct as reckless and criminal and questioning the role of law enforcement and administrative agencies.
The court observed that Delhi University and the Delhi Police had repeatedly assured it that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent violence during the elections. However, material placed before it through an application filed by advocate Prashant Manchanda appeared to present a different picture.
“The authorities of the university, as well as the Delhi police, have been assuring the court on various occasions that they shall take all steps warranted to ensure that such incidents do not occur. However, the material placed before us through the application depicts a picture where there appears to be complete failure on the part of the authorities and students to ensure smooth elections of DUSU,” the court said.
The bench said student unions in universities and colleges are considered “nurseries of democracy” and that the democratic process involving them needs to be strengthened. It said permitting student elections to take the form depicted in the material placed before the court was unacceptable.
The court issued the directions while hearing Manchanda’s application seeking enforcement of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations in the conduct of DUSU elections.
In his application, Manchanda alleged that a series of serious incidents had taken place across university campuses, including the alleged entry of hundreds of outsiders into college premises. He alleged that the incidents involved violence, vandalism and disorder, as well as claims of gunfire, injuries to students and forcible occupation of classrooms and libraries.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Centre, said such conduct was reprehensible and that those found guilty should be brought to book. He submitted that the situation surrounding this year’s elections was comparatively calmer and more orderly and informed the court that FIRs had been registered in connection with the incidents.
Delhi University’s counsel Mohinder Rupal told the court that campaigning had ended on Wednesday.
The matter will be heard again on Friday, when the university and Delhi Police are expected to place their reports before the court.