The petition prayed for directions to ensure that the DUSU elections are conducted in conformity with the binding judicial directions
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Delhi High Court has alleged that political parties have fielded their candidates for various posts in the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections in violation of the norms.
The PIL, filed by a Delhi University student Ms. Vijeta, contended that members of student wings of political parties cannot be permitted to contest DUSU polls, as such participation is prohibited under the Lyngdoh Committee Report, which was accepted by the Supreme Court and the Centre.
It has challenged the September 11 and August 13 notices by the Chief Election Officer announcing the DUSU polls and shortlisting the names of the contesting candidates. The case is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday (September 16, 2026).
The plea emphasised that the Lyngdoh Committee has cautioned against the influence of political parties in student union elections, and therefore, recommended disassociation of student unions from political parties.
However, the SFI-AISA alliance, the Aam Aadmi Party student wing, the National Students’ Union of India and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad have declared candidates for various DUSU posts including President and Vice-President, the plea said.
The petition prayed for directions to ensure that the DUSU elections are conducted in conformity with the binding judicial directions and the regulatory framework to safeguard fairness, transparency and legality of the election process.
“The petitioner, being a student of the University of Delhi, has witnessed how political parties are converting the academic environment of the university campus into a political atmosphere during student union elections in the universities and colleges,” the plea said.
“The unchecked political interference in student union elections has resulted in deterioration of the academic atmosphere within university campuses, thereby adversely affecting the fundamental rights of students guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India,” it added.
Published – September 16, 2026 01:39 am IST
