Delhi HC directs Centre, DU to stop defacement of public property by DUSU candidates

The Delhi High Court yesterday issued show cause notices to Delhi University, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Delhi Police and others, after hearing a public interest litigation against defacing and damaging of walls by prospective candidates of the Delhi University Student’s Union (DUSU) elections..The petition filed by Advocate Prashant Manchanda seeks directions to the respondents to prohibit candidates participating in the DUSU Elections from soiling walls, public property and private shops with the use of ink, chalk, paint and/or posters, as such activities violate the fundamental right under Article 21 and deprives citizens of a clean environment..The petition further states,.“The distasteful display of ugliness spread across the city like metros, subways, flyovers, bridges and so on leads to a negative impact on the environment as also dealing a body blow to the reputation and dignity of our country before foreign tourists inter alia leading to commercial losses..Unabashed acts of lawlessness unfurled by the prospective candidates and the student political organizations frescoes a sad commentary on our education system which leads to a conspicuous sight of diminishing value of ethics and principles.” .The petition also refers to specific recommendations by the Lyngdoh Committee which was set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2006 as per the directions of the Supreme Court to reform students’ union elections. The relevant guideline is as follows:.“No candidate shall, nor shall his/her supporters, deface or cause any destruction to any property of the university/college campus, for any purpose whatsoever, without the prior written permission of the college/university authorities.” .The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar while issuing notice observed,.“The nature of the defacement would show that public properties are being used for seeking votes by candidates contesting elections to different posts of the Delhi University’s Student’s Union…aspiring student leaders backed by the student political organization are corroding, defacing and destroying public and private properties whereupon they have sprayed painted and pasted posters on subways, on flyovers, over-bridges and walls across the capital in the run up to the DUSU elections. .There is, therefore, a warrant as to why appropriate action under the statute should not be taken for such illegal conduct.”.The Court directed the respondents to physically inspect different areas of the capital and file a status report on the action taken within one week. It was also directed that the action be taken forthwith so that no such defacement takes place in the future..The matter will be next heard on September 11..Read the order:.Read the petition: