The Delhi High Court on Monday directed Delhi University to commence counting votes for the Delhi University Students’ Union elections by November 26, contingent on the cleanup and repainting of all defaced public and private properties from the election campaign within a week.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, also instructed Delhi University and the student representatives to file a report verifying the restoration within 10 days.
This order was in response to a petition filed by Prashant Manchanda, raising concerns over the defacement of properties during DUSU campaigns. In earlier hearings, the court expressed disappointment with the conduct of certain candidates, urging them to act responsibly and set an example.
Notably, the court criticized incidents involving road barricading and reckless driving, ordering candidates to contribute to the cleanup and maintain the dignity of the university environment.
The High Court instructed each candidate to take personal responsibility for cleaning up their respective colleges. Candidate counsel assured the court that efforts were underway to improve the campus, with university officials confirming ongoing cleanup activities.
Candidates previously expressed regret for their actions and committed to removing campaign materials such as posters, hoardings, and graffiti across Delhi University campuses and nearby areas. They were instructed to submit affidavits with photographic evidence of their cleanup efforts and to enhance beautification initiatives on both North and South campuses, while also promising to avoid such actions in future elections.
Previously, the court had suspended the vote-counting process until it was satisfied that all defaced properties had been restored.
On September 26, the High Court permitted Delhi University to hold the elections scheduled for September 27, but it halted the counting until property cleanup was assured.
