Delhi High Court Puts DUSU Elections on Hold Over Property Defacement

The Delhi High Court has summoned candidates involved in the defacement of public property during the DUSU elections. No election results will be announced until clean-up is complete. The court criticized the Delhi Police for laxity and highlighted the civic issues caused by littering, urging responsible action from candidates.

The Delhi High Court has taken a stern stance against candidates accused of defacing public property during the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections. On Monday, the court, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, commanded these candidates to appear on October 28 to explain their actions, while directing Delhi University to notify them of the court's order.

The court emphasized that resolving defacement issues is a priority before vote counting can proceed. It prohibited the announcement of election results until the clean-up is finalized. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demanded a Rs 1 crore deposit from Delhi University for cleaning expenses across 12 zones. A fresh status report is sought from both the Delhi Police and MCD by the next hearing date.

The bench expressed discontent over the Delhi Police's inaction concerning unnumbered vehicles and broader safety concerns. It held implicated candidates accountable and urged Delhi University's subcommittee to assume responsibility for clean-up efforts. Stressing that elections should bolster democracy rather than serve money laundering, the court emphasized the need for accountability and civic responsibility amidst rising dengue cases linked to littering.

(With inputs from agencies.)