The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the winners of the recent DUSU elections — ABVP’s Aryan Mann (President), NSUI’s Rahul Jhansla (Vice President), and others — over the lavish use of luxury cars, JCBs, and tractors during student union campaign rallies. The bench expressed deep frustration that despite prior orders, violations continue to mar the DUSU electoral process.
What Triggered HC’s Reaction
The fight caught the court’s eye when campaign visuals showed convoys of expensive vehicles — Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, and heavy machines such as JCBs — being used by student candidates.
Delhi HC observed that despite last year’s order to uphold decorum and avoid defacement of public property, many students and organizations appear to have ignored those guidelines.
Who’s Been Asked to Respond
Notices have been served to:
- Aryan Mann (ABVP), newly elected DUSU President
- Rahul Jhansla (NSUI), Vice President
- Kunal Chaudhary (Secretary) and Deepika Jha (Joint Secretary), both ABVP members
These students have been directed to explain their campaign behavior before the court. The case is due for further hearing on November 6.
Key Concerns Raised by the Court
- HC called the use of such displays in student elections “tragic” and a “sad commentary” on democratic practice among youth.
- The bench questioned where students got access to these luxury cars, given their expense and rarity in this context.
- It also noted that this year, as in past years, campaign violations (like defacement, misuse of vehicles, ignoring rules) surfaced despite judicial orders and past court interventions.
What the Court Had Ordered Earlier
In 2024, the HC stayed poll results until public property damaged/campaign materials like posters & hoardings that defaced premises were removed.
It had also directed that no victory processions should be held anywhere in the national capital post-results. That order was explicitly cited in the recent hearings.
Implications & Responsibilities
Candidates and student bodies have been warned that money and muscle tactics will not be tolerated, and further violations may be punished strictly, possibly even leading to countermanding of results.
Universities, police, and media have also been made parties to the judicial records. The court even asked channels to preserve video evidence of campaign events.
Quick Takeaway
What’s Going On | Key Fact |
Luxury vehicles in DUSU campaigns | Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari spotted along with JCBs & tractors for rallies |
Students named in notice | Aryan Mann, Rahul Jhansla, Kunal Chaudhary, Deepika Jha |
Court’s Concern | Violations continue despite earlier orders; public property defaced; democracy undermined |
Next Steps | Replies due; hearing on November 6; videos preserved; victories under scrutiny |
FAQs
Q1: Who did the High Court issue notices to?
Notices were issued to Aryan Mann (President), Rahul Jhansla (Vice President), and other DUSU winners like ABVP’s Kunal Chaudhary and Deepika Jha.
Q2: Why luxury cars are being called out?
Because their use for campaigning in student elections is seen as an unfair display of resources (“money and muscle power”) and violates norms/rules meant to ensure fair play.
Q3: What rules were ignored?
HC flagged defacement of public property, misuse of vehicles, ignoring Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, and violating earlier court orders.
Q4: When will the matter be heard again?
The court scheduled the next hearing for November 6, when the candidates must respond.
Q5: What penalties could follow?
If courts find violations, consequences may include nullifying results, ordering restitution for damage, or holding candidates in contempt.
Conclusion
The Delhi HC’s statements reflect a serious concern: that student union elections are drifting away from ideals of fairness and responsibility. When campaign tactics rely on opulence — luxury cars and heavy machinery — rather than ideas, it raises questions about equity, accessibility, and integrity.
By issuing notices to winners and making multiple parties responsible, the court is attempting to reset expectations: student politics should be democratic, simple, and within rules. How universities, candidates, and students respond will determine whether DUSU polls become a model or a warning.
