The Delhi High Court on Friday banned any victory processions after the declaration of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election results. .A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that no procession must be carried out by the candidates, their supporters, students or anyone else, either on the roads or inside the colleges and hostels. "It will be the responsibility of the Delhi Police to ensure that any such victory procession does not take place. Any violation shall not only attract criminal and administrative action against the students but shall also amount to contempt of court," the Bench ordered. Noting that there was violation of its previous orders and the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations during campaigning, the Court said that it will impose exemplary costs on all the major student organisations. It issued notice to all the 140 candidates contesting the DUSU elections and the prominent student organisations, directing them to explain why they should not be saddled with damages"Let notice to student organisations be issued. The list shall be provided by DU counsel. We request DU counsel to provide the list of 140 candidates who are contesting the elections of DUSU. Notices shall be issued to all these 140 candidates as well," the Court said. The Bench added that the Delhi Police must not shy away from taking action against these people merely because they are students. .The High Court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Prashant Manchanda seeking directions to ensure strict enforcement of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, anti-defacement guidelines and the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election code of conduct during the 2026-27 elections.Manchanda alleged incidents of violence, vandalism and clashes involving candidates, supporters and outsiders during the ongoing campaign. He referred to media reports of outsiders entering college campuses and incidents involving violence and gunshots.The petitioner further alleged that candidates and their supporters used vehicles without number plates, tractors, luxury cars and oversized mascots during campaigning, resulting in traffic disruption in and around Delhi University campus..Notably, the Court had on Thursday pulled up the government, police and the DU for their failure to control the violence and hooliganism. It had also warned that it would stop the counting of the votes if the authorities fail to explain the steps taken by them against candidates and persons violating the law..Today, the Delhi Police and the Delhi University handed over their status report to the High Court, detailing the action taken against candidates and the persons indulged in hooliganism. Delhi Police stated that several FIRs have been lodged, vehicles impounded and even arrests have been made by them. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma appeared for the Delhi Police and stated that this year, the election campaign has seen significant improvement. He added that some hooligan elements remain and they will be dealt with sternly by the authorities. Advocate Rishav Ranjan appeared for the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and agreed with the ASG's submission that things have improved compared to previous years. Ranjan also denied NSUI's involvement in incidents of violence. After considering the case, the Bench then directed the police to ensure that "criminal action initiated by the police shall, in all right earnest, be taken to its logical end". The Court also noted that DU's administrative actions do not appear to be working as a deterrent against students indulging in hooliganism and illegal activities. Therefore, it said that it will proceed to impose collective electoral damages not only on students but also on student organisations."Counsel for the petitioner is directed to compile relevant records and documents which would establish violation. Said compilation should be filed in two weeks after supplying a copy to all the respondents as also the student organisations and individual candidates. On receipt of such compilations, the student organisations and candidates shall file replies showing cause as to why they should not be saddled with exemplary damages," the Court ordered. . .Petitioner, advocate Prashant Manchanda, appeared in person before the Court. Delhi Police was represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma. Advocate Mohinder S Rupal appeared for Delhi University. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) was represented by Senior Advocate Apoorv Kurup. Advocate Rishav Ranjan represented the National Students Union of India (NSUI).
