Delhi HC refuses to entertain NSUI candidate’s plea challenging DUSU presidential election result
Delhi High Court declines to entertain NSUI candidate's challenge to the DUSU presidential election results, directing authorities to review allegations.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a petition filed by Vijay Shankar Meena, a candidate from the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), who sought to challenge the outcome of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) 2026-27 presidential election. Meena had raised serious allegations regarding electoral irregularities during the voting process.
Court directs authorities to review allegations
While the court opted not to intervene directly in the petition, Justice Saurabh Banerjee directed the relevant authorities to examine the grievances raised by Meena. The court ordered that his representation be reviewed and a decision be reached within a specified timeframe.
The legal challenge was filed through advocates Vimal Tyagi and Balaji Pathak, invoking Article 226 of the Constitution. Meena had requested the court to grant access to crucial election records, including data from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and official counting documents.
The Battle for the Presidency
The election results, declared on September 19, saw Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidate Yash Dabas emerge victorious. The contest was closely fought, with Dabas securing 24,576 votes to win the presidency. Meena, representing the NSUI, finished with 22,523 votes, losing the position by a margin of 2,053 votes.
Allegations of Institutional Bias and Irregularities
The petition brought forward several significant claims regarding the conduct of the elections, primarily focusing on the violation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and the DUSU Model Code of Conduct. Meena's primary contentions included:
- Lack of Neutrality: The petition alleged that various college principals, professors, and administrative staff actively campaigned for specific candidates, failing to maintain the required institutional neutrality.
- Official Involvement: There were claims that certain election officials and university faculty members participated in campaigning activities.
- Voter Turnout Discrepancies: Meena pointed out significant variations in voter turnout across different institutions. While the overall turnout for the 1.51 lakh eligible voters was 40.46 per cent, certain colleges reportedly saw participation rates as high as 80 per cent.
The petition specifically highlighted concerns regarding voting figures at several institutions, including Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Bhagini Nivedita College, Swami Shraddhanand College, Shivaji College, and Motilal Nehru College (Morning). Given that the presidential race was decided by a relatively narrow margin of 2,053 votes, Meena argued that these discrepancies necessitated a thorough verification.
Requests for Evidence Preservation
In an interim application, the NSUI candidate had urged the immediate preservation of CCTV footage from polling booths, counting areas, and common college zones. He expressed concern that the footage might be overwritten due to standard data retention policies before an investigation could occur. Additionally, Meena had sought a recount of the votes and requested that the assumption of office by the winners be stayed until his challenge was resolved.
The DUSU election, which spanned 52 polling centres, also saw independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen secure the vice-president's post. While the High Court has declined to entertain the direct plea, the allegations regarding bogus or forced voting remain subject to examination by the competent university authorities.