'Unacceptable at any cost': Delhi HC raps student unions on violence, vandalism amid DUSU poll campaign

The court directed the University of Delhi and the Delhi Police to file reports detailing the action taken in connection with the alleged incidents.

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The Delhi high court on Thursday reprimanded authorities and student unions over allegations of violence and vandalism during campaigns for the upcoming Delhi University Student Union elections.

In its hearing, the high court observed that allowing student union elections to take on such a colour, as reflected in the material placed before the court, is “unacceptable at any cost.”

The court directed the University of Delhi and the Delhi Police to file reports detailing the action taken in connection with the alleged incidents by Friday.

While the court did not stay the DUSU polls scheduled for Friday, September 18, it warned that if it is not satisfied with the reports, the court may pass stringent orders, including stopping the counting of votes and postponing the declaration of results.

DUSU polls set for tight contest

The Delhi University student unions polls are scheduled for Friday. Major student organisations such as the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Congress-backed National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and the Left alliance of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and Students' Federation of India (SFI), are expected to be engaged in an intense battle in one of the most closely watched contests in student politics.

Ahead of the elections, the university has restricted vehicular movement on key stretches, including Chhatra Marg, Probyn Road and University Road, while student organisations are taking their campaigns to classrooms, college campuses and social media.

Traffic restrictions will also remain in place on both Friday and Saturday, till the declaration of results. The counting of votes will be held on Saturday from 8 am at the Multipurpose Hall of the University Sports Stadium in North Campus.