Delhi HC Seeks DU Response Over Alleged DUSU Victory Procession The Delhi High Court has sought a response from Delhi University over an alleged violation of its order barring victory processions after the declaration of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election results. The application before the court alleges that a victory procession was carried out by a winning candidate and their supporters despite the High Court’s specific directions, and claimed that the alleged violation amounted to contempt of court. The petitioner submitted that the DUSU election results were declared on September 19, after which the winning candidate and supporters allegedly carried out a large-scale victory procession in and around Delhi University college campuses. The application describes the alleged conduct as a violation of the court’s September 18 order. According to the application, the High Court had directed that no victory procession be taken out after the declaration of the election results by candidates, students, their supporters or anyone else. The restriction applied not only to Delhi roads but also to university campuses and hostels. The September 18 order also placed responsibility on the Delhi Police to ensure that no such procession took place and stated that any violation could attract criminal and administrative action and would amount to contempt of court. The court had also directed the police and Delhi University administration to take all possible measures to prevent violations. The application further alleges that a social media story posted by the winning candidate called upon supporters to participate in the victory procession. A copy of the alleged Instagram story has been included as an annexure to the application. The petitioner has also alleged that the Delhi Police and concerned university and college authorities failed to take effective action to prevent or stop the procession, despite the directions issued by the High Court. The application seeks directions for identifying those responsible for organising, facilitating and participating in the alleged prohibited procession. The petitioner has sought that the alleged violation be treated as contempt of the September 18 order and that appropriate proceedings be initiated. The application also seeks directions to Delhi University and concerned college authorities to take administrative and disciplinary action against those found responsible and place an action-taken report before the court. Counsel appearing for Delhi University opposed the application during the hearing. The court directed the petitioner to include all relevant material in a dossier to be prepared and placed before the court. The material will form part of the proceedings as the court considers the allegations. The matter comes against the backdrop of the High Court’s September 18 directions ahead of the DUSU election results, when it specifically prohibited victory processions and warned of criminal and administrative action as well as contempt proceedings in case of violations. Deepankar Malviya is a senior reporter covering legal news. With a background on law, he has a special interest in the politico-legal landscape of the... View More