The Delhi Excessive Courtroom has directed Delhi College (DU) to reply to a petition difficult its rule that requires candidates in scholar elections to furnish a ₹1-lakh surety with the signature of oldsters or guardians.
The petition, filed by members of the All India College students’ Affiliation, argued that the rule discriminates towards college students from modest socio-economic backgrounds and curtails their proper to contest elections.
Pupil teams throughout organisations criticised the transfer, saying it undermines their autonomy as adults.
College officers declined to remark, saying the matter is sub judice. Nonetheless, earlier this week, Chief Election Officer Raj Kishore Sharma clarified that the surety quantity would solely be forfeited if candidates violate anti-defacement guidelines.
He careworn that college students are misinterpreting the clause: “There isn’t any deposit. Surety is just a technical requirement. If mother and father or guardians are unavailable to signal, pals or relations can accomplish that.”
Courtroom deadline
The courtroom on Thursdaygranted the college 4 weeks to file its response, however sources indicated it might be submittedsooner, given the continued election schedule. Counting is scheduled for September 18.
The controversy follows final 12 months’s elections, when the Delhi Excessive Courtroom withheld counting for 2 months resulting from widespread defacement. The surety clause was launched this 12 months to discourage such violations, with the father or mother/guardian signature supposed as a proper assure.
College officers have famous that compliance has been excessive up to now, with the North Campus remaining free from defacement in comparison with earlier years. Though a brand new on-line portal for complaints has additionally been launched, the college officers mentioned no grievance has been acquired thus far.
Revealed – September 07, 2025 12:53 am IST
