The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the recently declared results of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, observing that photographs of college professors or election officials with candidates after the polls do not, by themselves, establish canvassing or bias.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee was hearing a petition filed by National Students' Union of India (NSUI) candidate Vijay Shankar Meena, who alleged irregularities and partiality by college professors, administrators and election officers during the DUSU elections.

The DUSU election results were declared on September 19, with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidates winning the President, Vice President and Secretary posts.

Meena relied on photographs and videos which allegedly showed Delhi University professors and election officials celebrating the victory of ABVP candidates. He argued that the material raised concerns regarding possible bias in the conduct of the elections.

The Court, however, observed that merely taking photographs with candidates after the election results were declared could not be treated as canvassing.

“Somebody has come and taken a photograph, does not mean he is canvassing. After election, how does it matter? Before election, they cannot,” the Court remarked.

The Bench also noted that the photographs produced by the petitioner did not mention the date or time when they were taken. With regard to a video relied upon by Meena, his counsel accepted that it was recorded after the election.

Referring to the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines governing student elections, the Court said that there had to be material showing when the alleged incidents took place.

“The photographs annexed are nowhere sufficient for holding that anyone who was/is a part of the DU was canvassing during election with any of the contestants,” the Court held.

The Court also took note of the petitioner's submission that some of the material relied upon was allegedly AI-generated.

Meena