DU elections: Delhi HC summons candidates over property defacement, says "No results be announced till cleanup done"

New Delhi [India], October 21 : The Delhi High Court on Monday summoned candidates linked to the alleged defacement of public property during the DUSU elections to appear before it on October 28 and explain their conduct.
The bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela instructed Delhi University to notify the implicated candidates regarding the matter.
Highlighting the importance of resolving the defacement issues before proceeding with vote counting, the court ruled that no election results will be announced until the cleanup is completed. The court also declined to lift the stay on vote counting until the defacement was addressed observing that the posters, banners, and graffiti had not been removed.
The MCD's counsel requested a deposit of Rs 1 crore from DU for cleaning expenses across 12 zones. The court has asked for a fresh status report from Delhi Police and the MCD by the next hearing, scheduled for October 28.
The Delhi High Court is addressing the issue of property defacement related to the DUSU elections, expressing frustration over the inaction of the Delhi Police regarding unnumbered vehicles and overall safety concerns. The court emphasized that the candidates involved, particularly those who have significantly contributed to the defacement, must be held accountable.
A subcommittee has been formed by Delhi University, and the court is urging them to take responsibility. The court made it clear that it is not lifting the stay on vote counting until the defacement is fully addressed and is requiring candidates to begin cleanup efforts. The bench earlier stated that elections should celebrate democracy, not serve as a vehicle for "money laundering."
The Chief Justice highlighted the pressing civic issues in the city, including rising cases of dengue and malaria, attributing them to persistent littering.
Delhi High Court observations came following application from two candidates contesting college elections at different Delhi University colleges, who sought a declaration of election results. The candidates assured the court that they would mobilize students to clean and repaint their college premises in collaboration with the university.
The application is part of a larger pending petition aimed at holding DUSU candidates and student organizations accountable for damaging and defacing public property. The court had previously suspended the counting process due to concerns over these violations.
On September 26, the Delhi High Court allowed Delhi University to proceed with its elections scheduled for September 27. However, the court suspended the counting of votes until it was assured that defacement is removed and public property was restored.