You people have not mended your ways: HC over 'hooliganism' in DUSU elections

The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned the Delhi Police and Delhi University over alleged violations during the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections, questioning how large car cavalcades and vehicles without number plates were allowed around the campus.

The court referred to photographs showing groups of 10–20 cars, some carrying photographs of candidates, along with people standing on vehicle bonnets and rooftops.

"People standing on bonnet and rooftops — what else is hooliganism?" the court asked, questioning why such violations were not stopped despite being visible.

The court said such cavalcades could create a sense of "fear, terror, hegemony" among candidates and students and asked police what deterrent action had been taken.

A Delhi High Court bench on Wednesday heard an application filed by lawyer Prashant Manchanda seeking action against DUSU election candidates accused of defacing public property, in a petition originally filed in 2017. During the hearing, the court came down heavily on Delhi University, the Centre, Delhi Police and student outfits over allegations of violence, vandalism and hooliganism during the ongoing DUSU election campaign.

The division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Teja Karia said it was “unacceptable at any cost” to allow student elections to descend into the kind of scenes reflected in the material placed before the court.

The court did not stay or postpone the elections but directed Delhi University and Delhi Police to file status reports by Thursday detailing the action taken over the reported incidents. It warned of passing a stricter order, including stopping the counting of votes and postponing the results, if it was not satisfied with the reports.

“The court will not accept any excuse. We are not staying or postponing the elections, but if we are not satisfied with the report, we can pass a harsher order, including stopping the counting and postponing the result. If you are unable to control the situation, we know how to get it done,” the court said.

On Friday, as the elections take place in Delhi University, the High Court is closely watching proceedings and has called out 'hooliganism'.998 CHALLANS, 49 VEHICLES IMPOUNDED

The Additional Solicitor General told the court that 998 challans had been issued, while 30 cars had been impounded. The hearing also recorded 547 challans for driving without a licence and 49 vehicles impounded.

The police said six FIRs had been registered, four people arrested and one student rusticated. Notices were also being issued to people visible in photographs.

The ASG further informed the court that five more vehicles had been impounded. Some vehicles allegedly had no number plates, while others were more than 10 years old.

The court questioned why such violations were not detected earlier, asking whether checking vehicles was not part of the police's duty.'WHAT ABOUT THE TEACHER ASSAULT?'

The bench also questioned authorities about the alleged assault on a teacher.

When asked whether the accused was a student or an outsider, the ASG said the person was a student and had been arrested along with three others.

The court questioned the repeated reference to "outsiders" and asked what action university authorities had taken against those involved.

Delhi University's counsel said show-cause notices had been issued. The ASG said notices had also been issued to candidates whose names were visible on vehicles.

The court said the incident involving the teacher was serious and that accountability had to follow.ALL CANDIDATES FACE SHOW – CAUSE NOTICES

The Delhi High Court issued show-cause notices to all 114 candidates contesting DUSU and college posts, as well as student political organisations.

They have been asked to explain why exemplary or collective electoral damages should not be imposed for violation of the poll code.

The court also sought the names and addresses of all candidates and student organisations.

The bench questioned why similar violations continue despite show-cause notices being issued by Delhi University year after year.

The court said it would consider imposing collective damages on the student organisations and made it clear that apologies would not be enough.NO DRUMS, NO VICTORY PROCESSIONS

The court also banned victory processions, drums and similar celebrations on result day tomorrow.

The ASG told the court that hooliganism could also take place inside university campuses and hostels after the results. The court was informed that if such activity continued, the election could even face consequences.

The court stressed that the restrictions would apply to celebrations inside the campus and hostels as well.

"Victory should make you humble," the Chief Justice observed, while referring to the alleged incident in which a winning candidate slapped a teacher.

The court also took note of geotagged photographs showing a candidate allegedly distributing pamphlets on voting day.POLLING CONTINUES WITHOUT MAJOR DISRUPTION

The ASG told the court that around 25–30 per cent polling had taken place at the time of the hearing and that the Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner had described the process as "spotless".

The court also noted that there had been no wall defacement this year, a key concern under the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines.

Delhi University told the court that its grievance-redressal mechanism had received only one complaint so far, despite a voting strength of around 1.5 lakh students.

The DUSU election results are expected by tomorrow evening, with voting conducted through electronic voting machines.

The court, however, warned that continued violations could have a wider impact, noting that the elections were taking place in the national capital.- EndsPublished By: Dev GoswamiPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 12:49 ISTRead | DUSU Election 2026 Live: Delhi HC pulls up student groups over 'hooliganism'Read | From hostel beds to campus power: The new battleground of student politics