The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought a response from Delhi University on a plea alleging that candidates who won the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections violated the Court’s recent order banning victory processions.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing an application filed by Prashant Manchanda.

Appearing in person, Manchanda alleged that despite the Court’s order, some winning candidates took out victory processions, amounting to contempt of court.

The Court noted that show-cause notices had already been issued to all candidates, including the winners, in terms of its earlier order. It directed Manchanda to include all relevant material in the dossier to be prepared and filed before the Court.

Senior Advocate Kirti Uppal, appearing for Delhi University, submitted that certain emotions become difficult to control after candidates win elections. He added that even dhols were not used this year.

The Court observed that the use of dhols would not have been the main concern, stating that the real issue was the display of “muscle and money power”.

On September 18, the High Court had issued notices to student organisations and their candidates, asking them to explain why exemplary electoral damages should not be imposed for violating the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and earlier judicial orders.

Manchanda’s petition, filed in 2017, also seeks action against candidates allegedly involved in defacing public property and seeks removal of the defacement and restoration of the affected areas.

The plea alleges that vandalism during DUSU elections violates the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and directions issued by courts from time to time.

The Lyngdoh Committee recommendations provide guidelines aimed at ensuring that student elections in educational institutions are conducted in an orderly manner and remain free from political party influence.

Manchanda also raised concerns over violations of measures framed to ensure peaceful and orderly DUSU elections.

Last year, Chief Justice Upadhyaya had similarly stressed that DUSU elections should be conducted without defacement of public property or illegal use of vehicles. The Court had also observed that students cannot take the law into their own hands during student union elections.

Case Title: Prashant Manchanda v. Union of India & Ors.