'Illiterate behavior': Delhi HC on property damage during DUSU elections
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday criticized the defacement of public property during the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, terming it "illiterate behavior." The court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Prashant Manchanda, seeking action against prospective DUSU candidates and student political groups involved in damaging public walls, classrooms, and other infrastructure. The bench also expressed concern over the significant amounts of money being spent on campaigns.
Court criticizes election spending, suggests measures
The court, comprising Chief Justice Designate Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, suggested several measures to address the issue. These included potentially postponing the elections scheduled or disqualifying involved candidates and restarting the nomination process. Alternatively, they proposed allowing polling to proceed but withholding results until all defacement had been cleared. "Only an illiterate can behave like this," the bench remarked.
Court directs authorities to prevent further defacement
The court tore into public authorities, saying there is coordination between them. "There is no coordination between MCD, Delhi Metro and DU. No department is speaking to the other, it is like they are at civil war with each other," said Acting Chief Justice Manmohan. "There are posters strewn on the road. Who's going to clean it?" Justice Gedela questioned.
Court orders recovery of cleanup costs from candidates
The court then directed DU to issue a notice to candidates who engaged in such vandalism, asking them to compensate for the defacement and clean the area. It further ordered the university and various government authorities to issue notices for recovering money from these candidates for cleanup costs. Government agencies were instructed to issue notices under laws relating to defacement of public property and immediately identify names on graffiti/posters, informing university authorities for action against them.
DUSU elections on September 27
The Chief Election Officer of DU was also ordered to physically appear before the Court, which is scheduled to hear the case again on Wednesday. In his plea, advocate Manchanda said the aspiring candidates from the National Students' Union of India (NSIU) and the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) "have left no place unscathed, be it the buses..private, public properties...even police stations, etc." DUSU elections will be held on September 27.
