The Delhi High Court has directed that no victory processions be taken out after the declaration of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election results, including within university campuses and hostels. The direction came amid the Court’s concern over repeated violations of election norms during the 2026-27 DUSU elections.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the order on September 18, 2026, in Prashant Manchanda v. Union of India & Ors.
The proceedings concerned reported violations during the DUSU Elections 2026-27. The Delhi Police and Delhi University placed their respective status reports before the Court.
The Court noted that the police report disclosed several actions already taken in connection with violations, including registration of FIRs, impounding of vehicles and arrests. It directed that the criminal proceedings initiated by the Delhi Police be taken to their logical conclusion.
The Bench also considered the status report filed by the Chief Election Officer of the DUSU Elections 2026-27 and noted reported violations involving students, candidates and student organisations.
The Court recorded that administrative measures, including show-cause notices, did not appear to be working as a deterrent to reported instances of hooliganism and certain illegal activities around the campus.
The Bench observed that the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, which prescribe norms for student elections, were being repeatedly violated.
"We propose to proceed to impose collective electoral damages not only on the students who may be found violating the norms but also on the student organisations."
Accordingly, the Court directed notices to all student organisations and the 140 candidates contesting the DUSU elections. They were given an opportunity to explain why exemplary electoral damages should not be imposed for alleged violations.
With polling underway and counting expected to conclude the following day, the Court issued specific directions regarding celebrations following the results.
The Bench ordered that no victory procession should be taken out by candidates, students, supporters or anyone else after the election results, either on Delhi's roads or within university campuses and hostels.
It placed responsibility on the Delhi Police to prevent such processions and said violations could result in criminal and administrative action and also amount to contempt of court.
The Court further reiterated its directions to Delhi Police and Delhi University authorities to take all possible actions and measures to ensure that there was no violation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and the Court’s earlier orders. The MCD authorities were also directed to ensure that there was no violation of the Delhi Metro Rail (O&M) Act, 2002 and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984
Student organisations present before the Court were directed to immediately inform candidates, students and supporters about the order. The matter was listed for further hearing on November 6, 2026.
