Delhi High Court Allows Students to File Nominations for DUSU Elections
New Delhi, India – On September 21, the Delhi High Court granted interim relief to two students from Delhi University, allowing them to file their nominations for the upcoming Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections. The students, Rachit Rai and Utkarsh Bhatt, are from Shri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College and Shri Guru Govind Singh College of Commerce.
The students challenged the decision of three minority colleges to dissociate from the DUSU elections. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued a notice to the colleges and directed them to allow the students to submit their nomination forms and participate in the election process.
Justice Kaurav stated, “In the interim, and without prejudice to the rights and contentions raised by the learned counsel appearing for the parties, the Court directs the respondents to permit the petitioners and other interested students to submit their nomination forms for the DUSU elections, 2024-2025 and allow them to participate in the further election process.”
The matter will be heard again on September 23. The petition, filed by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha, argued that the colleges’ decision to dissociate was abrupt and not in line with the established mechanism. The colleges cited their status as minority institutions under Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution as the reason for their dissociation.
The counsel for Delhi University and DUSU agreed with the petitioners, stating that the colleges had not followed the proper procedure for dissociation. The colleges, however, argued that they have the discretion to either participate in the election or adopt the mode of nomination, as per the Lyngdoh Committee Report.
The last date for filing nominations for the DUSU election 2024-25 has already expired, and the petitioners requested that they and other interested candidates be allowed to file their nominations.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big court in Delhi where important legal cases are decided.
interim relief -: Interim relief means temporary help given by the court until a final decision is made.
DUSU elections -: DUSU elections are elections for the Delhi University Students’ Union, where students choose their leaders.
nominations -: Nominations are when people put their names forward to be chosen for a position or role.
minority colleges -: Minority colleges are colleges that are run by specific communities, like religious or cultural groups.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav -: Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav is a judge who makes decisions in the Delhi High Court.