Delhi HC allows DUSU candidates linked to student wings, bars party role

Delhi University students will vote in the DUSU election on September 18 after the Delhi High Court declined to stay the polls over candidates’ links to political student wings.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said a student cannot be disqualified merely for belonging to the student wing of a political party. The court said such organisations must be distinguished from political parties, and that their candidates’ participation does not violate the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines.

The court was hearing a plea against the September 11 notification listing eligible candidates for DUSU posts, including candidates affiliated with NSUI and ABVP. It noted that the guidelines bar political parties from associating with student elections and require candidates to be bona fide students.

The bench said political parties and their members cannot participate in or influence DUSU polls. It asked Delhi University authorities to examine a social-media post by a candidate from AAP’s student wing that allegedly displayed the party’s name and election symbol.

The university’s chief election officer and other officials must ensure compliance with the code of conduct, the anti-defacement law, earlier court orders and the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. Counting is scheduled for September 19.