Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief to Students for DUSU Elections Amid Minority Colleges' Withdrawal

The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to two Delhi University students, allowing them to file nominations for the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections. The students challenged the withdrawal of minority colleges from the elections, with the court seeking responses from the involved colleges.

In a significant move, the Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to two students of Delhi University's Shri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College and Shri Guru Govind Singh College of Commerce, permitting them to file nominations for the upcoming Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections.

The students, Rachit Rai and Utkarsh Bhatt, filed a petition challenging the dissociation of three minority colleges from the DUSU elections. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, while granting interim relief, issued notices to the respondents, including the colleges, seeking their responses.

"In the interim, and without prejudice to the rights and contentions raised by the learned counsel appearing for the parties, the Court directs the respondents to permit the petitioners and other interested students to submit their nomination forms for the DUSU elections, 2024-2025 and allow them to participate in the further election process," Justice Kaurav ordered.

The court acknowledged the need to thoroughly consider the controversy after full pleadings are complete. Notably, the three minority colleges cited their protected status under Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution as the reason for their withdrawal. The petition pointed out that for years, these colleges have been part of the DUSU elections.

During the hearing, the counsel for Delhi University argued that the proper dissociation mechanism was not followed by the colleges, and thus their request was rejected by the university. DU and DUSU's counsels supported the petitioners, contesting the colleges' stand, and stressed the need for adherence to the Lyngdoh Committee Report guidelines.

Respondent colleges argued they opted for the nomination mode as per the Lyngdoh Committee Report. However, the petitioners contended that the colleges should not be allowed to abruptly opt-out, especially since the last date for filing nominations has already expired. The matter is set for a hearing on September 23.

(With inputs from agencies.)