The Delhi High Court on Friday unleashed a scathing rebuke of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, slamming candidates for flaunting luxury cars like Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Ferrari, and even JCBs, during campaigns. The bench, led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, expressed deep dismay, calling the spectacle a “sad commentary” on democratic institutions and student conduct, lamenting, “We are most disappointed with students.”

The court issued notices to the newly elected DUSU president Aryan Mann (ABVP), vice president Rahul Jhansla (NSUI), secretary Kunal Chaudhary (ABVP), and joint secretary Deepika Jha (ABVP), setting November 6 for their responses. The move follows a petition by advocate Prashant Manchanda, who provided photos and news reports alleging rampant defacement of public property, despite a 2024 court order halting poll results over similar violations until cleanup was completed. “From where do students get Bentley and Ferrari? This is unknown,” the bench remarked, stunned by the ostentatious displays.

The court also impleaded seven candidates who received university showcause notices, criticizing their blanket denials of wrongdoing. “Not even a single admission—it’s as if the petitioner photoshopped the evidence,” the bench quipped sarcastically. It further summoned two news channels to submit video footage of the election coverage, ordering preservation of the material for scrutiny.

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Manchanda’s plea highlighted violations of the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines and a September 17 court order banning victory processions. Despite these, the DUSU elections on September 18 saw continued defacement, with posters, hoardings, and graffiti marring public spaces. The court, which reviewed photos and videos, found prima facie evidence of violations, underscoring its long-standing concerns about money and muscle power in student polls.

Last year’s ruling had forced candidates to restore public property before results were declared, a lesson the court noted students failed to heed. Praising Delhi Police for their cooperation, the bench reiterated the need for systemic reforms to curb excesses in DUSU elections, which it deemed a yearly embarrassment for responsible institutions. As the case progresses, the court’s actions signal a crackdown on electoral malpractices, with implications for how student politics shapes up in India’s premier university.

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