The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the recently declared results of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections [Vijay Shankar Meena Vs University of Delhi and Ors.].
The plea was filed by National Students' Union of India (NSUI) candidate Vijay Shankar Meena, who alleged that there were irregularities and partiality by college professors, administrators and election officers.
The DUSU Election Result 2026 was declared on September 19, with three candidates from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) winning the President, Vice President and Secretary posts.
In his petition, Meena submitted photographs and videos showing certain Delhi University college professors and election officers celebrating the victory of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidates.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee observed that taking photographs with candidates after the declaration of the result did not amount to canvassing or bias.
“Somebody has come and taken a photograph, does not mean he is canvassing. After election, how does it matter? Before election, they cannot. There is no date, time. With respect to the video link, you are fairly submitting that this after the election. After the election, it does not matter. Lyngdoh Committee (which framed guidelines for campus elections) is clear, you have to have proof," the Court said.
The Court further noted that there are no details of the date or time of the photographs submitted by the petitioner. The Court also observed that some of the material has been stated to be AI-generated content.
“The photographs annexed are nowhere sufficient for holding that anyone who was/is a part of the DU was canvassing during election with any of the contestants,” the Court held.
Meena’s counsel, however, maintained that there were serious concerns of bias in the conduct of the DUSU polls.
"If a person has been openly using slogans (after the polls), it is highly improbable that prior to election, he has not made any convincing openly before students," he said.
The Court, however, declined to delve in to the matter and dismissed Meena's petition.
"(Petitioner) seeks to rely on the Lyngdoh Committee report. The said report is not applicable to the present case since the petitioner is unable to show the date, time of the events. Considering the same, the present petition is dismissed," the Court ordered.
The judge added,
“You cannot file these kinds of petition. There is no reason. Four days later you file this. We are all humans.”
The Court, however, directed Delhi University to decide on a representation submitted by Meena containing his concerns about the polls as expeditiously as possible.
The petition was filed through advocates Vimal Tyagi and Balaji Pathak.
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