The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from Delhi University and candidates who contested the recent Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections on a plea alleging that victory processions were taken out in breach of the court’s express directions.

The results of the DUSU elections were declared on September 19, a day after polling was held.

The application, filed by advocate Prashant Manchanda, alleged that candidates who won the elections took out victory processions despite the High Court’s order prohibiting such celebrations, amounting to contempt of court.

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked the university and the concerned candidates to respond.

On September 18, while hearing Mr. Manchanda’s petition alleging violations of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations during the elections, the court had directed that no candidate, student, supporter or any other person should take out a victory procession following the declaration of results.

It had also sought explanations from student organisations and candidates on why electoral damages should not be imposed for violations of the recommendations. The court had warned that the counting of votes and declaration of results could be stayed if the authorities failed to take satisfactory action against the “unruly conduct” during the election process.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the bench noted that show-cause notices had already been issued to all candidates who contested the elections, including the winners, in accordance with its earlier order. The court directed Mr. Manchanda to compile all relevant material in the dossier to be placed before it.

“This is not done. This is just not done,” the bench remarked, indicating that it would take a serious view of the alleged violation.

At the same time, the court observed that there had been some improvement this year, noting that there was no defacement of public property during the DUSU elections. However, it added that “much needs to be done”.

Counsel appearing for one of the candidates submitted that certain sentiments become difficult to control after winning an election and pointed out that even dhols, or traditional Indian drums, had not been used this year.

The Chief Justice said the use of dhols would not, by itself, have been a concern.

“Dhols were still acceptable and would have been fine. The difficulty is otherwise. The difficulty is the show of (muscle and money power). That is the concern,” he said.