New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over alleged incidents of violence and hooliganism during campaigning for the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections and warned that it would stay the counting of votes and declaration of results if authorities do not take satisfactory action for the "unruly conduct".
Voting is scheduled to be held on Friday and counting of votes on September 19. Campaigning ended on Wednesday.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia remarked, "Enough is enough," observing that a democratic process cannot be allowed to acquire the character of a "criminal society". The court said criminal behaviour cannot be justified in the name of democracy and directed Delhi Police and Delhi University to file status reports by Friday on action taken against alleged violators, warning that stricter orders could follow if the responses were inadequate.
"No excuses will be accepted by the court. We are making it very clear that though we are not staying the election or postponing the election, if we are not satisfied by your action, tomorrow we can pass harsher orders, including staying the counting and declaration of results," the bench stated.
"What we feel is that unless such drastic orders are passed, no one is going to come to terms and it is very sad. Please tell us if you are unable to control the situation. We know how to get it done. This can't be permitted," it further said. The court said the lawyers representing the various students organisations should appear for hearing Friday.
Advocate Prashant Manchanda said Wednesday was the "blackest day" in the history of DUSU elections, when certain persons hijacked DU's north campus area and professors and students were beaten.
Manchanda, whose petition concerning DUSU polls is pending in court, said he received messages from teachers and students saying that "guns have been used and the entire campus has been hijacked".
"The court may see the CCTV footage of LC-1 area. That shows that children were hounded and they were locked in their rooms by goons who came from outside," he contended.
Manchanda's latest application alleged that this year, election campaigning witnessed violence, vandalism, large-scale mobilisation and entry of outsiders and use of fleets of high-end vehicles, which included cars without registration plates, etc, in complete violation of the norms.
The court flagged a "complete failure" to ensure orderly DUSU elections, citing cars without number plates and alleged outsiders. It questioned DU and police over campus control. The Centre assured action against those responsible, while DU said steps would
be taken.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.